Do All The Other Zones Have Standard Gauge?” — Nwaebonyi Fires Back At Rufai Oseni On Arise TV
Do All The Other Zones Have Standard Gauge?” — Nwaebonyi Fires Back At Rufai Oseni On Arise TV
In a recent interview on Arise TV, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, who represents Ebonyi North, addressed a heated exchange from his appearance on Arise TV, where he responded to questions about infrastructure disparities across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
During the discussion, he referenced his reaction during the broadcast, stating, ‘Do all the other zones have standard gauge?’ after concerns were raised about the pace of railway development in the Southeast compared to other regions.
Nwaebonyi explained that his response was meant to challenge what he described as selective comparisons of infrastructure across regions. He argued that development projects, particularly large-scale railway systems, are often implemented in phases and influenced by planning, funding, and national priorities rather than uniform regional rollout.
He maintained that the focus of government infrastructure policy should be understood within the broader context of ongoing projects nationwide, noting that several railway lines across the country are at different stages of rehabilitation and expansion. According to him, the presence or absence of standard gauge rail in a particular zone should not be viewed in isolation without considering the overall national development framework.
The senator further emphasized that discussions around infrastructure should remain constructive, urging stakeholders to engage in fact-based assessments rather than confrontational exchanges. He added that balanced criticism can help improve accountability while ensuring that attention is directed toward completing existing projects and initiating new ones where necessary.
Nwaebonyi concluded by reiterating his commitment to advocating for increased federal attention to the Southeast, while also encouraging a broader understanding of how national infrastructure planning is executed across all regions of the country.
