The federal government has recorded tremendous progress in rail and water transportation in the last 28 months.

President Bola Tinubu said the development underscores sustained investments in rail lines, inland waterways, and supporting infrastructure.

Mr Tinubu said this in his goodwill message to Nigerians as the nation marks its 65th Independence Anniversary.

The president noted that the achievement reflected progress in diversifying Nigeria’s transport system beyond reliance on road networks to water and rail.

“This administration is expanding transport infrastructure across the country, covering rail, roads, airports, and seaports.

“Rail and water transport grew by over 40 per cent and 27 per cent, respectively.

“The 284-kilometre Kano-Kastina-Maradi Standard Gauge rail project and the Kaduna-Kano rail line are nearing completion. Work is progressing well on the legacy Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Highway.

“The Federal Executive Council recently approved three billion dollars to complete the Eastern Rail Project,” he said.

Mr Tinubu said that his administration was working to build, repair and construct infrastructure that would uplift the country and sustain the growth and development of future generations.

He said that due to failures of the past administration to make necessary investments, the country suffered deteriorated roads, seaports, railroads, and international airports comparable to the best in the world.

Mr Tinubu, however, said that his administration was setting things right and had turned corners for significant improvement and development.

According to him, the worst is over. I say yesterday’s pains are giving way to relief.

The president underscored twelve remarkable economic milestones achieved as a result of the implementation of sound fiscal and monetary policies.

He highlighted the nation’s recovering economy, giving credit to reforms made within two years of his leadership, which were now delivering tangible results.

“The second quarter 2025 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 4.23 per cent, Nigeria’s fastest pace in four years and outpaced the 3.4 per cent projected by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

“Inflation declined to 20.12 per cent in August 2025, the lowest level in three years.

“We have attained a record-breaking increase in non-oil revenue, achieving the 2025 target by August with more than N20 trillion.

“In September 2025 alone, we raised N3.65 trillion, 411 per cent higher than the amount raised in May 2023. We have restored Fiscal Health: our debt service-to-revenue ratio has been significantly reduced from 97 per cent to below 50 per cent.

“We have paid down the infamous “Ways and Means” advances that threatened our economic stability and triggered inflation,” he said.

Mr Tinubu said that following the removal of the corrupt petroleum subsidy, the government had freed up trillions of naira for targeted investment in the real economy and social programmes for the most vulnerable, as well as all tiers of government.

He highlighted Nigeria’s stronger foreign reserve position compared to three years ago, stating that external reserves increased to 42.03 billion dollars in September, the highest since 2019.

Mr Tinubu noted that the world was taking notice of Nigeria’s efforts and sovereign credit rating agencies had upgraded their outlook for Nigeria, recognising its improved economic fundamentals.

He, however, acknowledged the temporary pains of Nigerians due to the numerous reforms, but stated that the macro-economic progress had proven that the reforms were justifiable.

Mr Tinubu assured Nigerians that the accurate measure of success would not be limited to economic statistics alone, but rather be translated to food in homes, quality of education, electricity and security across the country.

He assured Nigerians that his administration was determined to stabilise the country at all levels and urged citizens to turn on the taps of productivity, innovation, and enterprise to make the country great again.

(NAN)