The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed that the Federal Government has commenced the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the long-abandoned Eastern railway corridor, starting from Port Harcourt in Rivers State to Aba in Abia State.
Speaking in Enugu on Wednesday, the Railway District Manager, Eastern District, Victor Adamu, disclosed this during a response to a national survey by the newsmen on the status of disused rail lines across the country.
Adamu stated that work had already commenced on the narrow gauge rail line, which spans from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri and covers key states in the Eastern District, including Rivers, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, and parts of Benue.
“I am very happy to state that the segment of the contract was handed over to NRC on November 28, 2024,” The PUNCH quoted Adama as saying.
According to him, train operations had resumed between Port Harcourt and Aba, with daily services five times a week.
However, Adamu acknowledged that work from Aba through Umuahia to Enugu was currently on hold, but assured that the Federal Government was working to resume activities on that axis.
“The Federal Government is doing everything possible to ensure that construction and rehabilitation on the remaining part of the contract commence soon,” he said.
He linked the progress to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that the Eastern corridor remains a vital economic link for the South-East and other parts of the country.
State Governments Join Rail Investment Push
Adamu also disclosed that a new policy under Tinubu’s administration now allows state governments to invest in railway infrastructure, a development he said was already attracting interest from Anambra, Abia, and Enugu states.
“With this, I believe that very soon, we will start seeing the dividends from these policies,” he added.
He recalled that in April, NRC Managing Director Mr. Kayode Opeifa visited Enugu for discussions with the governors of Enugu and Abia, which he believes will speed up action on the corridor.
Adamu identified vandalism as the biggest challenge to the NRC’s operations, especially the theft of track materials and other essential infrastructure.
“There are some suspected vandals who were arrested in Imo, Rivers and Enugu states. Some of them are already facing trial,” he revealed.
To curb the menace, NRC has been collaborating with the Nigeria Police, NSCDC, military, and local vigilante groups to protect railway assets.
“These facilities are meant for Nigerians. We are expected to own them. This will go a long way in keeping them intact,” Adamu said.
Naijaonpoint understands that the rail operations in Enugu had been inactive for over 20 years, making the ongoing efforts a major milestone in reconnecting Eastern Nigeria to the national rail grid.