Federal Gov’t Begins Reconstruction Of Eastern Railway Corridor

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed that the Federal Government has commenced reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Eastern railway corridor.

The Railway District Manager for the Eastern District in Enugu, Victor Adamu, disclosed this on Wednesday while responding to a national survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the abandonment of railway infrastructure across the country.

According to Adamu, work has already begun on the narrow-gauge rail line from Port Harcourt in Rivers State to Aba in Abia State, part of the larger Eastern corridor from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, Borno State.

“The Eastern District covers Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Rivers, and part of Egbede in Benue State, which serves as our boundary with the North Central district, spanning about 110 kilometers,” he explained.

Adamu expressed optimism about the project, noting that a contract segment was officially handed over to the NRC on November 28, 2024. He added that train services were operational between Port Harcourt and Aba, running five days a week.

He acknowledged, however, that work on the section from Aba to Enugu remained suspended. Still, he assured the public that the federal government would work to ensure rehabilitation resumed on the remaining stretch soon.

Adamu attributed the progress on the corridor to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“This is a project that will benefit the South-East and other regions. The Federal Government is committed to reviving rail transport across the country,” he said.

He also revealed that in April, NRC Managing Director Kayode Opeifa, visited Enugu and held strategic meetings with the governors of Abia and Enugu States, discussions he believed will accelerate development along the corridor.

Adamu noted that under a new policy introduced by the Tinubu administration, state governments can now invest directly in railway development. He said Anambra, Abia, and Enugu States have expressed readiness to take advantage of this initiative.

“With this collaboration, I believe we’ll soon begin to see the dividends of these policies,” he added.

Despite the progress, Adamu identified vandalism as one of the biggest challenges facing the NRC, especially concerning railway tracks and equipment.

He disclosed that the corporation works closely with the Nigerian Police, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the military, and local vigilante groups to secure infrastructure.

He said several suspected vandals had been arrested in Imo, Rivers, and Enugu States, and some were already facing trial.

“These facilities are national assets meant to serve all Nigerians. It’s our collective responsibility to protect them,” he emphasised.