Some stakeholders from Yobe State on Tuesday wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari, demanding inclusion of Potiskum in the proposed construction of Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line.
The letter, signed by the head of Yerman Gudi community, Idriss Madu; a copy of which was made available to journalists in Abuja, was copied to Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Senator Ibrahim Bomai (Yobe South), among others.
The stakeholders said Potiskum has one of the largest cattle markets in West Africa and the largest fleet of transport, including heavy duty vehicles running into several thousands.
They commended President Buhari for investing in infrastructure which cut across all six geo-political zones.
They said it had become important to call Buhari’s attention to the “obvious neglect of the strategic town of Potiskum” in the proposed rail line.
“As you are aware, Potiskum is the centre of commerce in the entire North East zone.
“It is for these reasons that we the progressive minds of the state and Potiskum town appeal to you to consider and direct the appropriate authority to include the town in the proposed Eastern Corridor rail line,” they told the president