On Friday, April 16, the Federal Government announced the operation of commercial cargo service on its 320 km Warri-Itakpe standard gauge rail after it was abandoned by the previous administration for 30-years.
The announcement came as a result of the rehabilitation done by President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration and his commitment to link major towns and cities in the country with rail transportation.
According to the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi while speaking during the flag-off ceremony in Warri on Friday stated that the incumbent administration will continue to ensure that all critical infrastructure capable of bettering the lives of Nigerians that were abandoned by the previous administration will be completed and commissioned by the Buhari-led administration.
During the flag-off ceremony, Amaechi explained that “It is universally acknowledged that a developing country with a large population such as Nigeria must develop a robust transport system like a modern and functional rail system, which is undeniable instrumental to creating much needed socio-economic transformation and industrial development and in enhancing more efficient land-based, an affordable model for mass transit and cargo service.”
He stated that “We are here today, to flag off commercial cargo services on the standard gauge route that was abandoned for over thirty years but rehabilitated by this administration and put into operation.”
He continued that the project is for the benefit of Nigerians irrespective of political affiliation, stating that, “This laudable achievement will boost the Gross Domestic Product, GDP, and equally enhance the socio-economic development of the communities living along the route.
Amaechi also maintains that the construction and modernization of railway projects cut across all geo-political zones regardless of the political leanings of the states. According to him, the modernization of the railway in Nigeria is not confined or restricted to any geographical location in the country, adding that, this present administration intends to ensure that every part of the country is linked with a standard gauge railway line.
Also, he added, while the Federal Government continues to rehabilitate and maintain the existing narrow gauge, other states and zones are expected to modernize the railway project within their geographical zones.
Furthermore, the Minister also called on host communities where the facilities are located to help monitor them from possible vandalization.
While still speaking, the Minister explained that the cargo service is a partnership between the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC to move materials from the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipe project.
Meanwhile, the Board Chairman of NRC, Ibrahim Musa, went down the historical lane to recall the difficulty in bringing the Itakpe-Warri rail route back on stream.
The NRC Board Chairman explained that the event is a remarkable realization of a long-awaited dream that took many long years to come true, stating that, the long road to the construction of this railway line started in 1987, some 34 years ago.
The NRC boss maintains that the railway line which was planned to be completed within five years was originally designed for the transportation of Iron Ore from Itakpe to Abeokuta (Kogi State) and Aladja Steel Rolling Mills (Delta State) and also to transport processed steel to the port in Warri.
He said, “However, it became stalled for over 30 years due to paucity of funds. This central line of this railway line was revived and completed by the present administration under the supervision of the Honourable Minister of Transportation and commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari on 29th September 2020. It would have been the first standard gauge railway line in Africa if it had not been abandoned. There are plans to extend this line to Abuja.” he added.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transportation, Istifanus Gyang, express the readiness of the federal parliament to continue to cooperate and partner with the federal government to bring about a functional nationwide rail network to ease the burden of transportation on the nation’s highway.
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