Vibrant Rail System Needed to Boost Nigeria’s Economy – Aregbesola

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has said a vibrant rail system is needed to boost Nigeria’s economy.
Aregbesola spoke yesterday in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, while signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC).

He said no nation in the world depends solely on road transportation.
Aregbesola said: “Sole reliance on road transportation has affected the nation’s economy adversely. It is high time the Federal Government improved our air and waterways for efficient transportation. Anywhere in the world, a combination of transportation systems makes a nation.
“We have overused our roads and need the alternative of a viable rail system. It is, therefore, necessary for government to develop other means of transportation.”

He said food products from the state would be exchanged for finished products from Lagos State at a market in Dagbolu, a small community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state, through rail.

NRC’s Managing Director Adeseyi Sijuwade said the corporation, in collaboration with the Osun State Government, would boost the state’s economy through freight services.

Sijuwade said the NRC has dedicated wagons to service  the state.
He said: “When the NRC completes ongoing rehabilitation of its facilities, we shall collaborate with other state governments, organisations and any person that requires our services.
“This is a development that is in conformity with our home grown strategy to public private partnership, aimed at delivering quality rail transport services to Nigerians.”

Nation