Credit Where It’s Due
Give credit, where the credit is due…
I wrote the below piece in 2019 before the current Nigerian government was elected. Please note that the last paragraph in this post is directed towards the previous government. I am yet to have a clear view of the current Nigerian government’s railway transportation strategy, but will of course, be keeping an eagle eye on its performance in this sector.
“I would like to pay tribute to all the Ministers of Transport who preceded me and who have made a significant contribution to the Government’s success in the field of mobility in general, but, also in the development of maritime, rail and air infrastructures.”
Côte d’Ivoire - Minister of Transport.
I think it’s fair to say that the above quote is a rare move in today’s political landscape, heaping praise on a previous administration(s) or minister’s transport policy successes is almost unheard of. I believe other countries, Nigeria included, can take a leaf from this minister’s playbook. Governments/Ministers should avoid knocking down their predecessors’ efforts simply in the name of political point-scoring. It would be hugely refreshing if ministers demonstrated more humility especially when a transport policy turns into a success, learn from and continue to build upon it. It’s important to remember that there are always successes and failures in any administration’s transport policy.
In the case of Nigeria, a lot of successful transport projects, particularly in the rail sector, were initiated by previous governments which the country is now benefiting from.
Some examples of which I’ve highlighted here:
Ajaokuta - Itakpe – Warri, Central Line, 327km, conceived in 1987, was 78% complete as of 2015.
Idu – Kaduna, Section 5, of the Lagos - Kano Line, 186.7km, contract awarded in 2011. Its construction commenced in February 2012. The project was 95% as of May 2015.
Spot rehabilitation of the existing narrow-gauge, single-track system, Lagos - Kano and Port-Harcourt – Maiduguri, was 73.8% completed in May 2015.
Onne Port to Port-Harcourt 19km link line, the percentage completion as of May 2015, is not available to date, Anyone with the stats, please, publish in the comments column below.
10no. Internal container Depots (ICDs), planned in early 2000, to be located/sited and to be linked to the national rail line at Aba, Bauchi, Funtua, Gombe, Ibadan (official turning of the sod was performed on Monday, August 11th, 2008, by the then Minister of Transport), Jos, Kaduna, Kano and Maiduguri, are some of the few rail transport sector projects started by past administrations.
It’s noteworthy that some of the above projects have been completed and commissioned into service, and those not completed, are being continued by the current government. A mention must also be made of the Abuja metro system, although it is currently not operational.
The Côte d'Ivoire transport minister should be applauded for crediting all his predecessors. This is such a rare departure from the usual African norm of political blame culture. Kudos should also go to the current Nigerian government, for continuing to support these vital infrastructure projects, which are essential to the economic and social growth of the country.