Mr S. Zakari, who recently was deployed to Federal Ministry of Defence, by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan today in a brief ceremony in the Honourable Minister’s conference room handed over to the Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr. Hussani Adamu, the Director Procurement, and the most senior Director in the ministry at the Ministry’s headquarters.
The former PS enjoined the Directors to give Dr. Adamu the same level of cooperation that they accorded him.
Mr. Zakari in presenting his stewardship expressed happiness that it was during his tenure that cardinal projects like Abuja-Kaduna light rail train service was completed and put to use, Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge railway which is 90 % completed but for the point linking the rail line to Apapa ports, the Itakpe-Warri rail line which was abandoned for over 30 years was completed and test runs currently on-going.
According to him, In the Road Transport and Mass Transit sector, the Ministry was able to complete freight offices at Ilela in Sokoto state, Idi-iroko in Lagos State and Jibia in Katsina State and also awarded two (2) new ones. He, however advised that the Ministry continue to use established contractors who are conversant with the terrain instead of engaging new ones as this will incur more costs.
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On the issue of the Cabottage funds, Mr. Zakari informed that the Ministry has written to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to release the money after the President approved that it be disbursed to indigenous shipowners to enable them compete in the maritime space as well as create the needed employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed.
The former PS, expressed profound appreciation to the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, the Hon. Minister of State for Transport, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki and the erstwhile Minister of State for Transport, Senator Sirika Hadi for their foresight in introducing these programs, revamping moribund infrastructure and for giving him the necessary support to succeed.
The Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr. Hussaini Adamu in his acceptance speech thanked his predecessor while soliciting for guidance should he encounter any challenges in the discharge of his duties while in office. He thanked the Government of Nigeria for finding him worthy to serve in this capacity.
Delegated to speak on behalf of the Directors, the Director, Road Transportation and Mass Transit, Dr. Anthonia Ekpa appreciated the services and contributions of Mr. Zakari, dwelling mostly on the honours and recognitions he brought to the Ministry and Nigeria in general. The most notable of such been the hosting of the Africa Transport Policy Program (SSATP) in Nigeria and the Turkish grant to Nigeria to build the Abidjan – Lagos corridor.
She further prayed that other projects which he devoted so much time and energy would be accomplished. She thanked him for all his monumental achievements and wished him favor and the capacity to continue his giant strides in his new place of posting.