Contractor playing politics with Kaduna-Kano rail project– Minister

The Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi has expressed dissatisfaction over the pace of work carried out by the contractor of Kaduna-Kano rail project within the space of a month.

Amaechi stated this while speaking with journalists shortly after inspecting the project at the Dala Inland Dry Port.

He explained that the China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC), is currently playing politics with the project rather than concentrating on it.

Amaechi, observed that the project which is about 5% completed need to be shore up by the contractors by bringing moving all necessary construction equipment back to site, while also increasing the workforce.

Adding that the act is unacceptable as it is a delebrate act to delay the project t until the end of the Buhari-led administration.

The minister said, ” I think the CCECC is beginning to play politics. They should move away from politics and focus on construction. And I think they need to complete the Kaduna-Kano rail as planned. I won’t say more than this until we meet with CCECC on Wednesday.

“The speed is extremely slow. They are supposed to have over 2,000 equipment on this project, they have just 541 so far. They claimed that over 300 are in Kaduna. We have sent a team to check. But even if you add that, you will still have just over 800. Just over 800 equipment compared to 2,000 means something is wrong somewhere” he observed.

The minister also said the CCECC may want to base their actions on lack or fund, but also revealed that the Chinese company ougtht to provide fund which they are yet to provide for the county, and noted that the issue associated with funding and delay will be addressed by next week Wednesday, when the ministry meets with CCECC and the press, Nigerians will be made aware If there is no difference as to what is happening in the country with regards to the project and others such as the Port-Harcourt one

“I know they will claim that we haven’t funded them but part of their responsibility in the contract is for them to look for the money. CCECC hasn’t given us money. Chinese haven’t given us money. So they can’t afford to delay it because is their responsibility to look for the money. That’s what the CCECC must do. But I will address the press and Nigerians on Wednesday after we meet with CCECC. If there is no difference, I will tell the country what’s going on.

“I think what they are doing is delay the project for this government to come to end”, he said.