By Anifowoshe Oladipupo
The Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has condemned the Federal Government’s proposed $60 billion high-speed railway project, describing it as a “trivialization of Nigeria’s economic development.”
In a statement signed by its leaders, Oba Oladipo Olaitan and Prince Justice Faloye, the group raised doubts about the legitimacy of the project and credibility of the firms involved.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, had announced the 4,000km railway plan to be handled by De-Sadal Nigeria Limited and China Liancai Petroleum Investment Holdings Limited. But Afenifere’s inquiry uncovered inconsistencies, including the claim that the project’s financier is the “Asian Development Investment Bank”, an institution that does not exist.
The group also faulted the competence of the selected firms. It noted that China Liancai Petroleum is an oil company, not a railway builder, while De-Sadal has no track record in rail construction.
Afenifere stressed that established Chinese firms such as CCECC, with proven history in Nigeria’s rail sector, were bypassed, making the deal “highly suspicious.”
