The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa, on Sunday announced that the Corporation has commenced a comprehensive review and repositioning of national rail services, including the Abuja–Kaduna, Lagos–Ibadan, Warri–Itakpe and Port Harcourt–Aba train services.
Dr Opeifa made this known during a world press briefing in Abuja, where he also used the occasion to express regret over his earlier remarks to a Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) journalist, Comrade Ladi Bala, during coverage of the Abuja–Kaduna train derailment incident. He noted that the apology was in recognition of the vital role the media plays in national development.
He explained that the Corporation is working towards the full reactivation of the Lagos–Kano–Baro narrow-gauge line to enhance freight and cargo movement, support state rail projects and boost national mobility, particularly for agricultural produce.
Other initiatives include refurbishing abandoned locomotives, engines and coaches for reuse and enabling states to utilise existing rail lines for mass transit programmes. Lagos State’s Red Line, Plateau State’s Railing on the Plateau and Niger State’s agricultural transport system are examples of states already taking advantage of this opportunity.
Under its Freight Revolution by Rail initiative, NRC is leveraging narrow and standard gauge access to the Lagos Port Complex to deepen trade between northern and southern Nigeria. This, Dr Opeifa said, will lower the cost of goods, ease pressure on roads and improve national productivity and GDP.
Through its Track Access Programme (TAP), the NRC is also expanding public sector participation in rail operations by granting operational licences to stakeholders. Current beneficiaries include Lagos State’s LAMATA Red Line for mass transit and CCECC Nigeria Limited for freight operations.
Dr Opeifa further disclosed that the Corporation has embarked on track restoration, safety audits and institutional reforms in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMOT) to revitalise the rail system. Plans are underway to complete ongoing projects, reinforce safety, improve service reliability and launch a new National Strategic Rail Development Plan.
He stressed, “The Asham accident was an unfortunate distraction, but our mandate at NRC remains clear. In the last seven months, we have been repositioning this 127-year-old institution through reforms and initiatives aligned with the present administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda on transportation.”