Business News of Sunday, 4 August 2013

Source: GNA

Experts discuss ECOWAS rail project

Rail infrastructural development experts from West African countries have met to discuss modalities to implement the West Coast Speed-Rail Project aimed at addressing transportation deficiencies.

Broadly, the project is to transform the Region’s transportation system by launching new high speed passenger and goods rail services.

It is also to facilitate major industrialization of countries, improve transportation of agricultural produce, and create immediate political awareness for further economic emancipation of the people.

The Country’s Representative of Hammcobtb Engineering International Incorporation-Canada, Dr Dzegbla expressed the hope that delegates would come up with a firm resolution to realize the objective of the project and to enable the sub-region meet its transportation needs.

After the delegates’ meeting, a grand summit to involve respective ministers in charge of transport and ECOWAS team will be scheduled.

Chief Obaga Idow from Nigeria called on Heads of West African states to remain committed to the implementation of the project in order to ease myriad transportation difficulties hindering economic development.

He also asked the delegates to get actively involved to ensure the project was executed within a scheduled time-frame, saying, “we need to learn the pitfalls in the West African Gas Pipeline project that took 35 years to start.”

A team of consultants has been assembled by Hammcobtb Engineering International Incorporation-Canada to initiate a design, construction specifications and implement a fast rail route for the West Coast of Africa.