Warri- Itakpe Railway: Agbor Station was a thick forest- Amaechi’s aide

… How I got lost at the first inspection

Dr Israel Ibeleme, Media aide the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Honourable Minister of Transportation, for the Itakpe- Warri Railway project which will be commissioned Tuesdays September 29, 2020. Dr Ibeleme who narrated his experience at the first visit to the Agbor Station- now the Goodluck Jonathan Train station, said the place was like a thick forest and the Minister’s team had difficulties in navigating their way through. He also shared the sentiments of many residents of the Niger Delta, saying they are happy with Mr President. The Honourable Minister visited the project in 2017, while work commenced in 2018 and was completed in 2020.

Dr Ibeleme said, “I am super excited about the Itakpe- Warri railway, one of the reasons being that my first experience at the Agbor Station was terrible and scary. During the first inspection, we got to Agbor station, currently Dr. Goodluck Ebele Train station, it was a thick forest and we could not gain access to the facilities as they were dilapidated, after being abandoned for several years.

“When my Boss, the Honourable Minister said he needed pictures to present to Mr President, to help facilitate the reconstruction of the Itakpe- Ajaokuta- Warri railway. I swung into action and had to enter the place which was a thick forest. Unfortunately, I lost my way. When they were set to takeoff, the Minister noticed I was not with the team and they thought I had been kidnapped. My Boss had to send a team of Security personnel led by his former CSO, Mr. Tony Iwelu , to search and rescue me, and I remaining deeply grateful for that.”

Commending Amaechi, Dr Ibeleme said, “For me, the efforts he (Amaechi) has put in to make sure this project is completed, is commendable. As a Niger Deltan, I am happy that this administration has revived this project after more than 30 years of abandonment. I commend Mr President and my Boss for deeming it fit for the Niger Delta to benefit from the current administration.

“For those who did not know about the Itakpe- Warri Railway, it is about 320Kms with 11 world-class stations. It has made the people of the Niger Delta glad and I wish to commend once more, the Honourable Minister.

“For me, it’s a dream come true, having been part of this history. I am excited as much as I’m certain that these rail projects will extend to the Southeast.”