Breaking: Anambra State Initiates Rail Transport System To Boost Commerce And Movement
Breaking: Anambra State Initiates Rail Transport System To Boost Commerce And Movement
The Anambra State government has finalized preparations to introduce a railway transportation system with the aim of facilitating the distribution of goods, promoting commerce, and enhancing the mobility of people throughout the state.
Arch. Okey Ezeobi, the Managing Director of the state Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), revealed that the state government has enlisted the services of an international infrastructure development firm to create the rail master plan.
During a press briefing in Awka ahead of a six-day capacity building series on ‘Theory And Practice of Public Procurement For Local Government Stakeholders,’ Ezeobi disclosed that the chosen firm, CPCS Transcom Limited, headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, was selected from among ten international organizations that applied for the design.
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Ezeobi highlighted the high level of interest from investors in the rail master plan implementation, citing the bankability and feasibility study conducted on the railway initiative.
He explained, “The state government has initiated payments for the master plan design, which will extend railways to the state’s boundaries. The introduction of railways will result in more affordable and faster container transportation from the ports.”
Ezeobi emphasized that the selection of CPCS Transcom Limited was based on their track record, technical bids, financial bids, and domestic experience. He also noted that the firm had recognized Anambra as a forward-thinking state under Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
Regarding the capacity building series, Ezeobi assured that it would promote transparency and accountability in the utilization of public funds, aligning with Governor Soludo’s vision of ensuring value for money in government expenditure.
He stressed that the new direction and changes in Soludo’s government aimed to rebuild public trust by ensuring transparency in resource allocation. Ezeobi further stated that plans were underway to integrate local council staff into the BPP to provide comprehensive procurement training and ensure proper financial management.
