Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation, has challenged film producers to strive for excellence in order to compete well on the international stage and promote the country’s economy.
Amaechi delivered the advise while welcoming Mr Rogers Ofime, the Chief Executive Officer of Native Media, and his crew members on a thank-you visit in Abuja.
The minister reaffirmed his commitment to always assisting filmmakers who require rail service for their productions.
Amaechi stated that he will sponsor the filming of ‘Conversations in Transit,’ a modern gritty romantic comedy, as well as other films.
According to the minister, this will help to improve the country’s image.
He stated that permitting rail service for the filming of the film was to demonstrate to the world the remarkable infrastructural development that is taking place under the regime of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said, “We have to do this because what the president is doing in infrastructure should be shown to the world.
“The president has improved on infrastructure and railway is one of them. We have to grant them that approval of using the train. So that the world we know that we are delivering on our campaign promises.”
The minister said that approving the train services for movie producers to use for shooting at no cost was the government contribution to boost the sector.
Amaechi added, “We will continue to improve our infrastructure to make the society grow. Road and railway deal with issue of logistics, even if you manufacture you need better infrastructure.
“The film project is a beautiful idea; it will engage the people meaningfully, provide entertainment and grow the economy.
“We are happy they are doing it and that is why we will be willing to always grant them approval of the train anytime they wish to use it.
“Film makers should improve on what they are doing. The quality of anything you are doing is essential. They have continued to grow with time.
“Improving to become world best is not rocket science. They can be the best in the world with much commitment,” he said.
Speaking, Ofime, thanked Amaechi for approving free train services for the shooting of the film, Conversations in Transit.
Ofime said that the production of the film was informed by his experience of train ride from Lagos to Ibadan, which he described as fascinating.
He said, “When I came to Nigeria from Canada, what actually fascinated me was the train ride from Lagos to Ibadan and that actually informed the project I am doing.
“One is to showcase the achievement of the administration and also to let people know of another means of transportation which is very wonderful.
”People have been taking the train ride and the feedback has been really great.”
