Lagos-To-Calabar Railway Line Approved By FG - Sambo

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday announced that the Federal
Government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the
construction of a new railway line that will run from Lagos to Calabar
and also extend to the Obudu Cattle Ranch.

The President made the announcement when he performed the
groundbreaking of the second cement line being constructed by the
United Cement Company of Nigeria Limited in Mfamosing, Akamkpa Local
Government Council of Cross River State.

This came just as Chairman of the Board of UniCem, Mr. John
Coumantaros, said the additional 2.5-million-metric-tonne per annum
line would be constructed at the cost of N84bn, adding that the
project, which is expected to be completed in 2016, would bring the
production capacity of the company to five million metric tonnes per
annum.

Jonathan, who was represented by Vice- President Namadi Sambo, said it
was commendable that barely five years after UniCem unveiled its first
line of 2.5 million metric tonnes, the company had already concluded
plans to double its production capacity.

He said, "In 2002, the Federal Government formulated the backward
integration policy for the cement industry to facilitate Nigeria's
drive in self-sufficiency for cement production. It should be noted
that within a decade, there had been a phenomenal growth from two
million metric tonnes per annum to 39.5 million metric tonnes per
annum of installed capacity.

"We are impressed that just five years after the first line in UniCem,
we are gathered here again today for the second line, which will add
2.5 million metric tonnes per annum to the company's capacity. This is
ample growth of operational efficiency and the resilience of the
management of UniCem.

Speaking on the proposed railway line from Lagos to Calabar, Jonathan
said, "Indeed, I will like to state that very soon, the 550 megawatts
station will be inaugurated. Also, on the railway line, I am also glad
to inform you that the Memorandum of Understanding for the
construction of a new railway line from Lagos to Calabar has been
signed, and we hope that any moment from now, work will commence.

PUNCH