President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated the construction of a new Transport University in Katsina, which is said to be completed within 18 months. President Buhari, during the inauguration of the first university of transportation in sub-Saharan Africa, stated that the school will boost local capacity, economy, domestic technology, enhance innovation in the nation’s transport system, and provide employment opportunities.
“This university and Rolling Stock Assembly plant projects have demonstrated the commitment of Messrs. CCECC to having a long-term relationship with Nigeria and thus create more avenues for collaboration between the parties and will no doubt assist the enhancement of the bilateral relationship between China and Nigeria”.
“It is, therefore, my expectation that in no distant future, Nigeria as a result of the graduands from this university will effectively operate and maintain the numerous railway infrastructure and services which my government is vigorously developing across the country,”
“In light of the clear advantages of this university, I wish to commend on behalf of the good people of Nigeria, Messrs China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) which is building this university as part of their corporate social responsibility.
“In addition to this, I wish to put on a record and commend CCECC for the willingness to establish, also, the Rolling Stock Assembly plant in Kajola, Ogun State whose groundbreaking took place on November 9, 2019,” - Buhari
Meanwhile, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said contrary to all insinuations, the decision to situate the university in the president’s hometown is ‘pure’ ”since Daura is a part of Nigeria”.
“Daura is in Nigeria, it is not in any other part of the world. It is not in the Niger Republic, Biafra or Mali, it is in Nigeria. So, what is wrong in siting the University of Transportation in Daura?”
”I have no regret siting this university where I have sited it, it is not because I want to get any gain,” Mr Amaechi added.
Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State in his remarks, reportedly said the project will further “boost the efforts of the state in providing sound education and technical skills to indigenes of the state.”
