‘First-class maintenance, user safety’ — Buhari speaks on plans for improved rail services

President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration remains committed to ensuring the safety of users of rail services in the country.

He said this on Tuesday at the closing ceremony of the 2022 ministerial performance review retreat in Abuja.

The president’s comment comes amid concerns over safety of commuters, following the recent rescue of 23 passengers abducted during an attack on a train in March.

Speaking on Tuesday, he said the safety of rail users remains paramount.

“We must ensure the safety of our rail users and strive to achieve the intended economic goals. We must at the same time ensure realisable schedules and first-class maintenance,” Buhari said.

The president also spoke on expectations for other sectors, including in infrastructure and the economy.

“Following the milestones recorded in the road sector, coupled with the innovative ways of funding road infrastructure, the ministry of works and housing has been directed to compile a list of all completed roads, bridges and other infrastructure for commissioning before the end of this administration,” he said.

“In the same vein, we must also build synergy between the fiscal and monetary authorities in order to avoid unnecessary drawbacks in our economic planning and performance.”

Buhari also called on the national assembly to fast-track the consideration and passage of key legislative bills as agreed during the panel session at the retreat.

He said the two-day retreat provided an opportunity for his administration to assess the progress it has made so far.

“It has provided an opportunity for reflection and lesson learning aimed at reviewing progress and agreeing on key actions that will ensure we finish well by the end of our administration come May 29, 2023,” he said.

“We have used the opportunity provided by this retreat to carry out an objective assessment of our commitments in line with the contract we signed with the Nigerian people at the inception of this administration in 2019.

“I am glad to note that we have sustained this yearly stock-taking innovative initiatives introduced in 2019 by holding three consecutive performance review retreats in 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively.

“This has helped us to clearly identify what we have done, what needs to be done, and how best to get it done”