Ondo State Liberal Platform Caucus, a bi-partisan Think Tank composed of some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Social Democratic Party, SDP, other political groups and resident professionals, has thrown its weight behind the decision of the President Muhammadu Buhari led executive on the restoration of the N60billion proposed Coastal Rail Project in the 2016 budget.
The group stated that the Calabar-Lagos Rail Project will open a new economic frontier in Nigeria with the attendant benefits of massive job creation, emergence of new businesses along the rail corridor with access to sea, alternative transportation for haulage and commuting, while reducing present heavy vehicular traffic on the weak Calabar/Uyo/Ikot-Ekpene, Port-Harcourt/Yenagoa/Warri, Benin/Ifon/Idoani, Benin/Ifon/Owo/Akure and Benin/Ore/Shagamu highways.
Caucus Secretary, Engr. Tunji Light Ariyomo, in a statement yesterday said “for the people of Ondo State, the planned Calabar-Lagos rail line is some big news that calls for celebration as it would service towns within the sunshine state in addition to other towns and villages along its route from Calabar to Lagos.
“The Caucus, which has in its rank notable professionals, former Ministers, Senators, House of Representatives members, commissioners, special advisers, veteran journalists, seasoned academics and business leaders, calls on all sons and daughters of Ondo State in the 8th National Assembly regardless of party affiliation to rise up and ensure that this iconic legacy project is not shunted by vested interest.
“Leaders of the Caucus also appealed to all members of the National Assembly to have a re-think in the national interest since this project is strategic to the diversification, growth and development of the economy. There should not be any controversy; there should not be lengthy debates.”
APC members include Hon. D. I. Kekemeke – Ondo Chairman; Hon. Demola Ijabiyi – Caucus Chairman; ex-Speakers, House of Assembly – Rt. Hon. Victor Olabintan and Rt. Hon. Oluwasegunota Bolarinwa; Nathaniel Adojutelegan – SA to the Minister of State (Niger Delta Ministry); Senator Paul Akinyelure; ex-Commissioners – Chief. Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose, Prince Solagbade Amodeni, Barr. Olajide Ajana, Hon. Wahab Adegbenro; Engr. Ariyomo.
Others are Hon. Diran Iyantan; Hon. Lad Ojomo, Hon. (Mrs.) Febi Adeyemi, Hon. Derin Adesida – former members House of Representatives; Barr. Tolu Babaleye; Mr. Apata Awodeyi; Dr. Tunji Abayomi; Hon. Ademola Adegoroye; Barr. Yinka Orokoto; Hon. Dipo Okeyomi; Mr. Rotimi Ogunleye; Chief Mrs. Tanimola (former State Woman Leader); Mrs. Bukola Oluderu; Hon. Ife Ajiwoye; Hon. Johnson Malumi; Hon. Alafe Wande Abiodun; Hon. Deji Aseniserae; Mr. Moyo Niran Oladunni and Comrade Apalowo Thalis.
PDP members in the Think Thank include Hon. Clement Faboyede – Ondo Chairman; Senator Bode Olajumoke – member Board of Trustees; Arole Dennis Alonge-Niyi – National Deputy Youth Leader; Chief Dr. Ade Abitoye – former Minister; Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye – ex-DG National Sports Commission; Chief Sola Ebiseni – Commissioner for Environment; Hon. Femi Adekanbi – Commissioner for Culture; Hon. Gbenga Araoyinbo – member House of Assembly; Lady Yemi Mahmoud, Hon. Yemi Alao – former Commissioners.
Others are Mr. Banji Okunomo – State Publicity Secretary; Hon. Thomson Atikase; Ms. Yemi Ogedengbe; Architect Olu Agbesua; Mrs. Ajonibode; Chief Tunde Akindehin; Mrs. Yetunde Bamife; Mr. Eni Akinsola; Engr. Steve Giwa; Hon. Sam Olowomeye; Hon. Jef Abidoye and Hon. Yomi Ode
Leading the SDP are Dr. Olu Agunloye, a former Minister of Defence and Comrade Ibrahim Oladotun.
The professionals are represented by Messrs Ade Ayeni; Dare Babarinsa; Dayo Johnson; Babatope Okeowo; Yemi Akintomide; Biodun Omosoyin; Gabriel Akinadewo; Bode Famose; Charles Omodugba; Damisi Ojo, Dayo Johnson, Lanre Asiwaju, Lanre Asiwaju; Wale Obanigba,
Others are Mrs. Temitope Dare; Barr. Toyin Aladegbami; Barr. Adeboro Adamson, Pastor Femi Akinlabi; Pastor Kunle Oluwade; Venerable Nelson Fadoju; Pastor Taiwo Emmanuel, Pastor Dapo Akinseye; Barr. Sola Ajisafe; Hon. Victor Olotu; Dr. Taiwo Adenegan; Otunba Banjo Abitogun; Messrs Adesola Orisamoluwa; Olamide Abudu; Omoluyi Oluwateru and Lanre Ogunmoyela.
The youths are led by Comrade Zadok Emmanuel-Akintoye, Hon. Dada Eminence, Barrister (Miss) Sandra Odunola Ogunmola, Comrade Blackey Oladimeji, Comrade Oluwafunmilayo Momoh, Comrade Akinlosotu Adebowale and Prince Bobby Lateef Zarki.
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