Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation, advised film producers to strive for quality that would make them compete favorably internationally and boost the nation’s economy.
Amaechi gave the advice in Abuja, while receiving the CEO of Native Media, Mr. Rogers Ofime and members of his team for a thank you visit.
The minister reiterated his determination to always support filmmakers when they need train service for their shoots.
He said the facility would be provided to movie producers at no cost so they can film.
Amaechi promised to support the filming of “Conversations in Transit,” a contemporary romantic comedy, and other films.
The minister said that this would promote the good image of the country.
According to him, the approval of the train service for the shooting of the film was to show the world the exceptional development of infrastructure that is taking place under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“We have to do this because what the president is doing in infrastructure must be shown to the world.
“The president has improved in infrastructure and the railway is one of them. We have to give them that approval to use the train. To let the world know that we are keeping our campaign promises,” Amaechi said.
The minister said approving train services for film producers to use for filming free of charge is the government’s contribution to boosting the sector.
“We will continue to improve our infrastructure to grow society. Road and rail take care of the logistics issue, even if you manufacture, you need better infrastructure.
“The movie project is a beautiful idea; it will engage people in meaningful ways, provide entertainment and grow the economy.
“We’re glad they’re doing it and that’s why we’ll always be willing to give them approval for the train anytime they want to use it.
“Filmmakers should improve what they are doing. The quality of whatever you are doing is essential. They have continued to grow over time.
“Improving to become the best in the world is not rocket science. They can be the best in the world with a lot of commitment,” she said.
In his speech, the CEO of Native Media, Ofime, thanked Amaechi for approving the free train services for the filming of the film “Conversations in Transit”.
Ofime said the film’s production was made aware of the train ride from Lagos to Ibadan, which it described as fascinating.
“When I came to Nigeria from Canada, what really fascinated me was the train ride from Lagos to Ibadan and that really informed the project I’m doing.
“One is to show the achievement of the administration and also for people to know another means of transportation that is wonderful.
“People have been traveling by train and the feedback has been really good,” he said.
Ofime said the movie “Conversations in Transit” was a contemporary romantic comedy that takes one into the lives of three couples navigating near divorce, finding love and a complicated love triangle.
He noted that it would be the first in the Nigerian film industry to be filmed entirely on a train.
Ofime said that Native Media was a ten-year multi-award-winning television production company and had carved a niche for itself in producing quality, original African stories for an ever-growing television audience.
