The Progressive Peoples Party (PPA) on Wednesday corroborated a statement made by Nigeria Railway Corporation Managing Director, Engr. Seyi Sijuade, that heaps of refuse in Aba had affected the efficient running of trains on the eastern rail line .
The NRC boss made the remarks in Port Harcourt on Tuesday at the inauguration of the Enugu-Port Harcourt-Enugu inter city train service.
In attendance at the event were top government functionaries including Vice President Namadi Sambo, Governor T.A Orji, former Governor Peter Obi among others.
According to Engr Sijuwade, “the mountain of refuse in Aba, which is about five metres high had buried some sections of the railway track which eventually lead to the total collapse of the No. 15 bridge of the rail track, preventing the smooth running of the locomotives in the region.”.
Chairman Abia PPA, Emeka Okafor in a statement made available to the media on Wednesday said: “the past seven years of T.A administration has set the state backward especially in terms of infrastructure. A tour of Aba will expose the bad leadership of the current administration. The governor and his so-called Abia elders have been running the state on mere propaganda without having anything tangible to validate their media claims. We use this opportunity to challenge the state governor to visit Aba without been heavily guarded with soldiers, if he is popular among the people.
The PPA Chairman noted that the remarks of the NRC boss is a testimony to the earlier comments of billionaire Chief Arthur Eze, who had at the 17th year celebration of creation of Abia State,described Aba as the dirtiest state in Nigeria.
Okafor urged Abians to be wary of politicians offering money and other consumables to induce voters. He further said,:”be mindful of selfish leaders who are of the habit of pretending to be caring towards election, only to neglect their constituencies after they forcefully win elections. Protect your votes and resist any form of intimidation”.
While calling on the electorate to vote PPAÂ for good leadership, the PPA Chief charged Nigerians to vote en masse for President Jonathan in the 2015 general elections.
