Kano-Kaduna rail: I’ll report you to Nigerians, Amaechi warns contractors

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has warned China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC), the major contractor handling the ongoing Kano-Kaduna rail project that he would report them to Nigerians for deliberately slowing down the project.

Amaechi who was speaking on Saturday after inspecting the project, accused CCECC of playing politics with the project.

“The speed is extremely slow. They are supposed to have over 2,000 equipment on this project, they have just 541 so far.

“They claimed that over 300 are in Kaduna. We have sent a team to check. But even if you add that, you will still have just over 800. Just over 800 equipment compared to 2,000 means something is wrong somewhere.

“I think the CCECC is beginning to play politics. They should move away from politics and focus on construction. And I think they need to complete the Kaduna-Kano rail as planned. I won’t say more than this until we meet with CCECC on Wednesday,” Amaechi said.

The minister said the contractors can’t complain of funding for because it was their obligation to look for money to fund the project.

“I know they will claim that we haven’t funded them, but part of their responsibility in the contract is for them to look for the money.

“CCECC hasn’t given us money. Chinese haven’t given us money. So they can’t afford to delay it because is their responsibility to look for the money.

“That’s what the CCECC must do. But I will address the press and Nigerians on Wednesday after we meet with CCECC. If there is no difference, I will tell the country what’s going on.

“I think what they are doing is delay the project for this government to come to end,” he added.