The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi (photo), has revealed plans to start transporting petroleum products by rail from the country’s seaports and refineries.

This plan is part of efforts to put an end to problems encountered on a regular basis while distributing petroleum products by road transport since the collapse of the country’s un­derground pipeline networks, for about 10 years.

The conveying of petroleum products across the country by road has also disturbed the timely delivery of products to clients due to the delays related with bad roads in some parts of the country. According to the Minister, the transportation of petroleum products by rail is to be re-introduced in 2016 as works on the narrow gauge rehabilitation project had reached an advanced stage and is almost complete. He noted that huge invest­ments into the standard gauge to connect most parts of the country with faster trains for passenger movements has also commenced.

Amaechi added that the Ministry, in collaboration with other key ministries in the petroleum and transport sectors, will take measures in guarantying a safe supply of fuel to airlines at the Lagos do­mestic and international airports thereby eliminating the promiscuous parking of trucks along the airport routes, THIS DAY reports.

Anita Fatunji