Jonathan approves Lagos to Calabar rail line

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday promulgated that the Federal Government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the construction of an incipient railway line that will run from Lagos to Calabar and additionally elongate to the Obudu Cattle Ranch.

The President made the promulgation when he performed the groundbreaking of the second cement line being constructed by the United Cement Company of Nigeria Limited in Mfamosing, Akamkpa Local Government Council of Cross River State.

This came just as Chairman of the Board of UniCem, Mr. John Coumantaros, verbalized the adscititious 2.5-million-metric-tonne per annum line would be constructed at the cost of N84bn, integrating that the project, which is expected to be consummated in 2016, would bring the engenderment capacity of the company to five million metric tonnes per annum.

Jonathan, who was represented by Vice- President Namadi Sambo, verbalized it was commendable that marginally five years after UniCem unveiled its first line of 2.5 million metric tonnes, the company had already concluded plans to double its engenderment capacity.

He verbalized, “In 2002, the Federal Government formulated the rearward integration policy for the cement industry to facilitate Nigeria’s drive in self-sufficiency for cement engenderment. It should be noted that within a decade, there had been a phenomenal magnification from two million metric tonnes per annum to 39.5 million metric tonnes per annum of installed capacity.

“We are impressed that just five years after the first line in UniCem, we are amassed here again today for the second line, which will integrate 2.5 million metric tonnes per annum to the company’s capacity. This is ample magnification of operational efficiency and the resilience of the management of UniCem.

Speaking on the proposed railway line from Lagos to Calabar, Jonathan verbalized, “Indeed, I will relish to state that very anon, the 550 megawatts station will be inaugurated. Withal, on the railway line, I am additionally ecstatic to apprise you that the Memorandum of Understanding for the construction of an incipient railway line from Lagos to Calabar has been signed, and we hope that any moment from now, work will commence.