Skip to main content

Nigerians raise concerns as FG signs MoU with UK firm for PH–Abuja rail

Public records have shown the company has no experience handling similar projects, which raises questions about its ability to handle a project of this magnitude.

Some Nigerians have raised concerns over the capability of Messrs MPH Rail Development Limited, a United Kingdom company the Federal Government gave the right to implement the Port Harcourt–Enugu–Calabar–Abuja Standard Gauge Rail Line project under a public-private partnership framework.

On March 13, 2024, the Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UK firm on behalf of the Federal Government to enable the company to carry out the design, construction, commissioning, operation and transfer of the project under the PPP arrangement.

Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UK firm [Twitter:@MinTransportNG]
Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UK firm [Twitter:@MinTransportNG]

As stated in a post on its website, the ministry said the MoU signing followed the approval of the Outline Business Case and the issuance of a compliance certificate by the Infrastructure, Concession, and Regulatory Commission.

With the clearance out of the way, Messrs MPH Rail Development Limited can focus on compiling the necessary documentation for Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval to advance the project.

While emphasising the importance of the diligent preparation and submission of all requisite documents to expedite FEC's approval, Alkali pledged the ministry's support for the successful implementation of the project.

Nigerians raised the alarm.

However, in the wake of the announcement, some Nigerians have taken to social media platform X to express concerns over the planned project.

The criticisms ranged from the UK company's ability to deliver a project of such magnitude, given its lack of track records in handling a similar project, to the need for further explanation on the route as there are existing corridors that could be utilised.

Former presidential aide Tolu Ogunlesi noted that there’s already a Warri—Itakpe Standard Gauge Rail, suggesting an extension from Warri to Port Harcourt and from Itakpe to Abuja to get Port Harcourt — Abuja Standard Gauge Rail.

Meanwhile, a check on the UK government website (gov.uk) showed that Messrs MPH Rail Development Limited was incorporated as recently as 2019, which may indicate limited experience in the field.

Also, the company has no website, and its four Nigerian directors were appointed in 2023, suggesting that the leadership may not have had sufficient time to establish a robust operational framework.

See a few reactions below;

ridoola.blogspot.com.ng
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

EFCC insists on presentation of Grace Tiaga's death certificate in P&ID case

Tiaga's counsel communicated the unavailability of the death certificate, requesting additional time. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is steadfast in its demand for the death certificate of the late Grace Tiaga, a former director of legal services at the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, to be submitted in court. Tiaga faced charges brought by the EFCC, alleging her involvement in receiving payments from Process & Industrial Development (P&ID) to manipulate the 20-year gas supply and processing agreement (GSPA) against Nigeria. The EFCC claims that these illicit payments were made through her daughter and persisted even after her retirement. The accusations extend to Tiaga's purported failure to adhere to due process while providing legal counsel on the GSPA. Initially facing eight counts of fraud, she was remanded to Suleja prison in 2019, later granted bail, and the charges were expanded to 13 counts. As the trial progressed, the prosecution p...
Post a Comment
Read more

List of America's one-term presidents & why they were not re-elected

U.S. President Joe Biden becomes the most recent entrant in a list of president who served for only one term. U.S. President Joe Biden announced that he would not be seeking re-election for a second term in the November 5, 2024 elections. Biden, in a statement said that he would be focused on completing his remaining term, endorsing his Vice President Kamala Harris as his most preferred nominee for the Democratic Party to take on former President Donald Trump. Joe Biden endorses Kamala Harris as Democrats' candidate after withdrawing from race [X:@JoeBiden] Biden now joins a list of former U.S. Presidents that only served for one term. John Adams (1797-1801) The second president of the United States, John Adams was a Founding Father who faced significant challenges during his presidency, including conflicts with political adversaries and foreign nations. His support for the Alien and Sedition Acts, perceived as a violation of civil liberties, contributed to his unpopulari...
Post a Comment
Read more

Tinubu appoints MKO Abiola's son, Jamiu as SSA on Linguistics & Foreign Matters

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Jamiu Abiola as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Linguistics and Foreign Matters. The appointee is one of the children of the late Chief Moshood Kolawole Abiola , the winner of the 1993 presidential election annulled by General Ibrahim Babangida . According to a statement by Segun Imohiosen , the Director of Information and Public Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, Jamiu's appointment took effect from November 14, 2024. Imohiosen said the appointment aligns with the provisions of the Certain Political and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) Act 2008, as amended. Until his recent deployment, the appointee served as the Special Assistant to the President of Special Duties in the office of the Vice President. Tinubu tasked Jamiu to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and bring his wealth of experience to bear in his new ...
Post a Comment
Read more