BY SAM DUVWODE
Delta State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme has said that the State Economic Team will study proposals by investors for an efficient rail system and other areas of investment.
Sir Onyeme made this known when he received the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Jezreel Engineering Services Limited in his office in Asaba.
Sir Onyeme described construction of rail transport systems as capital intensive, hence the federal government was finding it difficult to successfully rehabilitate and construct proposed rail systems across the country.
The Deputy Governor noted rail is an efficient means of transportation and recalled the good old days when the system thrived in different parts of the country.
Sir Onyeme, observed that the Sukku option of funding of rail projects come with long tenures, citing the Benin Auchi dual carriage road being funded through the Sukku financing that was still ongoing after many years.
The deputy governor, who observed the Sukku option of funding of projects as slow and taking longer time, advised for other financing options.
Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Jezreel Engineering Limited, Mr. Duke Jerome-Scott said he had a general investment proposal for the state, particularly the rail project and construction of a Resort Centre.
He said his proposal for a rail system in the state would create jobs for the teeming youths, increase internally generated revenue, as well as provide social services to the people. Mr. Jerome-Scott proposed different rail routes such as; Osubi-Effurun- Agbarho – Ughelli – Patani, while another line would be from Agbor – Umunede – Ogwashi- Uku – Asaba – Bridge Head as well as from Warri axis to Sapele -Oghara -Koko.
He said his proposal would take advantage of the existing federal government rail line from Ujevwu in Udu Local Government to Itakpe in Kogi State and pay royalties to the federal government like what is done in Lagos State.
According to him, he had proposed funding through the Sukku financing because of its long tenure rather than going to the convention banks with high interest rates, adding that the rail would also cover some local areas in the three senatorial districts.
