THE Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced the commencement of reconstruction and rehabilitation work on the Eastern railway corridor, under the directive of the Federal Government.
The Railway District Manager for the Eastern District based in Enugu, Victor Adamu, confirmed this development during a national survey conducted by newsmen on abandoned rail lines across the country.
According to Adamu, the project kicked off with the rehabilitation of the narrow-gauge track from Port Harcourt in Rivers State to Aba in Abia State.
This line forms part of the broader Eastern railway corridor stretching from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, Borno State.
He noted that the Eastern District covers major southeastern states, including Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Rivers, and part of Benue State, with a boundary at Egbede.
“I’m pleased to report that a portion of this contract was officially handed over to NRC on November 28, 2024. Currently, passenger coaches are operational from Port Harcourt to Aba and back, running five days a week,” Adamu stated.
However, he acknowledged a temporary suspension of work on the segment from Aba through Umuahia to Enugu. He assured that efforts are underway to resume construction soon, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This is a transformational project that promises significant benefits for the Southeast and beyond,” he added. “The Federal Government remains committed to restoring full rail operations.”
Adamu also revealed that NRC’s Managing Director, Kayode Opeifa, visited Enugu in April and held productive discussions with the governors of Abia and Enugu states. He expressed optimism that the visit would catalyze further progress on the corridor.
He further highlighted a new policy under President Tinubu’s administration allowing state governments to invest in railway infrastructure.
According to him, the governments of Anambra, Abia, and Enugu have shown keen interest in tapping into this initiative.
Adamu cited vandalism as the most significant challenge facing the NRC, particularly in regard to track materials and infrastructure. He disclosed that the corporation, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police, NSCDC, military, and local vigilante groups, has made several arrests of suspected vandals in Imo, Rivers, and Enugu states, with prosecutions already underway.
“These rail facilities belong to all Nigerians. We must protect them collectively,” he emphasized.
Notably, railway services in Enugu had been dormant for over two decades prior to this rehabilitation effort.