A railway advocacy group, African Railway Roundtable, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria for re-nominating former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, into the Nigerian federal cabinet.

In a statement issued on Tuesday afternoon by its Chief Operating Officer, Segun Olanjorin, the group said: “As a major stakeholder in the railway sector across Africa, we are happy to congratulate Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, on his re-appointment as a minister of the Federal republic of Nigeria. It is a reappointment well deserved.

“During his tenure as the Minister of Transportation, he performed excellently well and contributed immeasurably to the expansion and modernisation of railway network in Nigeria. His passion and singular devotion to get critical rail projects executed elated many railway enthusiasts.

“Our association had observed Hon Amaechi’s result oriented focus towards the implementation of grand rail projects, the completion of abandoned railway projects, the expansion of the rail networks; and commitment to the complete execution of the Lagos –Ibadan rail project and the Warri – Itakpe. He assisted President Muhammadu Buhari to place Nigeria on the African map as one of the leading nations with rapid expansion and modernisation of her railway networks.

“His re-appointment is a confirmation that hard work can still be rewarded despite the political climate. While we are expecting him to go back to the Transport Ministry, we are reassured that his inclusion alone in the cabinet implies that railway matters are still top priority of the Nigerian government.”