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NRC set to repair rail sidelines

By on July 29, 2013

The Nigeria Railway Corporation has announced its plan to rehabilitate rail sidelines to enhance the movement of trains and ensure safety of its passengers.

The Managing Director of the Corporation, Mr. Adeseyi Sijuwade, made this known in Lagos on Thursday during the commencement of a third weekly Lagos – Kano intercity passenger train.

He said, “The government has approved the contracting of rail sidelines for train. The side-track rehabilitation will enhance the movement of trains and ensure safety of our passengers. It also allows for switching from one lane to another.

“The approval is expected to aid the corporation’s intended Public Private Partnership initiative, which will undoubtedly result in further enhancement of the capacity of our services across the country.”

Sijuwade, however, urged the Federal Government and National Assembly not to relent in their efforts to revamp the rail sector.

He said, “In order to sustain the contribution of the rail transport mode to the nation’s social vibrancy and economic competitiveness in its ability to transport large amount of passengers and freights, I wish to appeal to the Federal Government to assist in providing more coaches, wagons and locomotives for the corporation. I will also appeal to the National Assembly to continue to support the Nigerian railway by ensuring sustainable budgetary appropriation annually for asset procurement and capital projects that will, over time, transform the corporation to an enviable level of performance.”

The Chairman of the corporation, Mr. Abubakar Baraje, added that the intercity passenger train was introduced to reduce the various challenges of road transportation in the country.

He said, “This marks the resurrection of rail service after being on hold for about four years during the period the rehabilitation was ongoing on the western line. The NRC took up the challenge of meeting up with the yearnings of Nigerians in the provision of easy, affordable and reliable means of transportation which goes a long way in bringing succour to the commuters in terms of cost, safety and health. The flag off increases the number of passenger train services presently on the stable of the corporation.”

He listed the passenger trains as Lagos-Kano-Lagos passenger trains (three times weekly); Lagos-Ilorin-Lagos passenger train (three times weekly) carrying 5,500 passengers; 16 Lagos Mass Transit Trains carrying about 20,000 passengers daily between Iddo/Apapa and Agbado/Ijoko; and Kaduna City Mass Transit Trains.

He noted that rail transport, if well utilized, would make road network less hazardous, long lasting and reduce air pollution.

He said, “The Lagos-Kano Railway route is bringing a lot of socio-economic benefits to the development of our nation, such as providing employment, enhancing trade and commerce within and between our communities, as well as taking pressure off our overstressed roads thus reducing frequency of road accidents.

“It is also expected to strengthen social integration and inter-cultural relationships. The importance of unhindered carriage of freights and passengers by rail cannot be over-emphasised especially when economic, social, and environmental aspects of sustainability are considered.”

 

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One Comment

  1. Ay

    July 29, 2013 at 8:56 am

    What is position of the trains? The trains that are meant for goats and cows not human beings. I do not pray to have course to enter any one again. No light, no fans the whole train filled with odour and all you see is roof falling on your head.The trains we have now are meant goats and cows.