‘FG constructed 1000 km of rail lines in past decade’

The Managing Director and CEO of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has disclosed that the Federal Government has successfully constructed over 1,000 kilometres of new or refurbished rail lines in the past one decade. “While Nigeria developed 3,500 kilometres of rail lines in our first 60 years post-independence, the Federal Government successfully […]

The Managing Director and CEO of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has disclosed that the Federal Government has successfully constructed over 1,000 kilometres of new or refurbished rail lines in the past one decade.

“While Nigeria developed 3,500 kilometres of rail lines in our first 60 years post-independence, the Federal Government successfully constructed over 1,000 kilometres of new or refurbished rail lines in the past decade, marking a significant milestone in railway development,” Opeifa said.

He spoke during a working visit by the leadership of the SEDC to the NRC Headquarters in Lagos.

It was the first formal engagement between the NRC and any of the regional commissions established by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as part of efforts to ensure the even development of all zones in the country.

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He emphasised the crucial role of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) in the federal government’s vision to rehabilitate, expand and optimize the country’s railway infrastructure.

Opeifa observed that the visit by the SEDC Managing Director Mr Mark Okoye, and the Southwest Director of the Commission, Mrs. Adejoke Adebayo Chukwumah, underscored the priority attention the SEDC attached to rail development in the region.

He emphasized that the NRC has historically been at the heart of Nigeria’s economic growth, tracing it back to the colonial era when the first rail lines were built to facilitate trade and commerce.

He stressed that the government is prioritizing the rehabilitation and expansion of narrow gauge railway networks to enhance mobility, reduce the cost of transporting goods, and improve economic productivity.

He further noted that revitalizing the railway sector would lead to a significant reduction in the cost of goods, benefiting businesses and consumers alike.

He said rehabilitation of the eastern corridor railway line would restore connectivity between key cities in the southeast and other parts of the country.

He also addressed the raging concerns on vandalism especially on the Eastern corridor, saying the railway assets are still much in use and not scrap irons.

He disclosed that the NRC is actively working to repurpose outdated infrastructure and improve service delivery.

With plans underway to enhance railway services across Nigeria, the NRC remains committed to ensuring that railway development aligns with national economic goals. The Federal Government’s push for modernization, increased efficiency, and expanded railway connectivity is expected to propel Nigeria’s GDP growth and bolster trade both domestically and internationally.

Managing Director of SEDC stressed that the commission is prioritizing railway development across the five states in the South-East.

“Our goal is to develop a seamless business climate across all five states in the region. We want consistency in ease of doing business policies, laws, and investment regulations to attract both domestic and international investors,” he added.