Senate Lauds Tinubu Over $3bn Allocation To Reconstruct Eastern Rail Line

The Senate has commended President Bola Tinubu for allocating $3 billion for the long-awaited reconstruction of the Eastern Rail Line.

The Upper legislative chamber described the move as a critical milestone in correcting Nigeria’s historic infrastructure imbalances and addressing longstanding regional concerns in the South-East and North-East.

The commendation followed the Tuesday’s approval by the Senate of President Tinubu’s $21 billion foreign loan request, which includes the earmarked $3 billion for the Eastern Corridor railway project, stretching from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri.

Speaking under Order 42 (Personal Explanation), Senator Victor Umeh who said the project had been raised during earlier budget discussions,

credited Senate President Godswill Akpabio for personally conveying the matter to the President.

“This Eastern Rail Line that now has the prospect of being reconstructed is a welcome development, especially in light of the sentiments of the people of the South-East,” Umeh said.

“I want to thank Mr. President, who during his January visit to the South-East, promised to address this issue. With the $3 billion now allocated, that promise is on the path to fulfilment.”

The Senate President applauded Umeh’s bipartisan disposition, stating, “Good governance must not have party boundaries. This shows Nigeria is maturing politically.”

In a related development, the Senate approved a total budget of N105,140,926,744.08 for the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) for the 2025 fiscal year.

The budget includes N20.64 billion as personnel cost, N8.95 billion for overhead cost and N75.55 billion for capital expenditure.

The approval complied with the RMAFC Act, 2025, and aligns with the 0.5% of non-oil Federation Revenue as approved by the National Economic Council (NEC) in December 2024.

The budget report was presented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi.