The Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with General Electric (GE) is set to establish a locomotive assembly plant in the country.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan revealed that a Memorandum Of Understanding has been signed betweem both parties.  According to the President, the project would enhance the sustainability in the rail sector and make Nigeria a major economic hub in West and Central Africa.

The disclosure was made during the President’s Democracy Day national broadcast in Abuja.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s committed to efficient and affordable public transport system, stating that the transformation agenda in the road sector would deliver better and safer roads to Nigerians and link the six geo-political zones in the country with dual carriageways.

“There have been increased construction activities in the ongoing dualisation of Abuja–Abaji–Lokoja Road, Kano–Potiskum–Maiduguri Road.’’ Others are the Benin–Ore–Shagamu Expressway; the Onitsha–Enugu Expressway; and the construction of the Loko–Oweto bridge, across River Benue.

“In other parts of the country, about 21 other road projects are in different stages of completion. “These include the Yola–Numan road, Aba–Owerri road, Owerri–Onitsha expressway, Oyo–Ogbomosho old road and the Gombe-Potiskum road,’’ he added.

Jonathan said that the administration in the last 12 months had completed the capital dredging of the Lower River Niger, and that work would soon commence on the dredging of the River Benue.

Jonathan said that the administration had begun the development of four new international terminals at Lagos, Port- Harcourt, Kano and Abuja airports as part of renovation of airports across the country.

With more than 200 employees and facilities on the ground, GE is committed to supporting growth in various sectors of Nigeria’s economy.

Recently, the company signed a landmark Country to Company agreement aimed at fostering partnerships and driving critical infrastructure projects across the country.