Former President Muhammadu Buhari has described former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as a “golden fish” and a valuable asset to his administration, as the former Rivers State Governor marks his 60th birthday.
Buhari praised Amaechi’s contributions to the development of Nigeria’s infrastructure, especially the resuscitation of the country’s railway industry, in a statement on Wednesday through his former spokesperson, Garba Shehu.
Buhari said that under Amaechi leadership, the railway system, once comatose and completion of abandoned projects, witnessed a new era of expansion and modernisation.
“Amaechi shared with me the aspiration of strengthening infrastructure, bridging the nation’s long-delayed gaps through the railway, a vital component, leading to its revival from a comatose state, completion of abandoned projects, turning them into major transit hubs, and initiating major ones across the country, some of which were driven to completion before he left office,” Buhari said.
He added that the railway network, which used to be the heartbeat of many towns and cities but was killed and buried for decades, began a new chapter under Amaechi’s leadership.
According to Buhari, the sector began faithfully serving millions of Nigerians by expanding network capacity for passenger and freight services, helping to address demand, introducing new services and rolling stock, and improving safety.
“Under him, the nation witnessed a new era of railway infrastructure. I wish him and his family many happy years ahead.”
Amaechi served as Minister of Transportation from 2015 to 2023 and previously as Governor of Rivers State from 2007 to 2015 and earlier, as speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2007.
