Nigerian Government Initiates Reconstruction of Eastern Rail Line**The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced that the Federal Government has commenced the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Eastern Railway Corridor.
Mr. Victor Adamu, the Railway District Manager for the Eastern District in Enugu, made this statement in response to a national survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) regarding the neglect of railway lines across the country.
Adamu confirmed that work on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the narrow gauge tracks has begun, starting from Port Harcourt to Aba in Abia State. He noted that this narrow gauge line extends throughout the eastern district, connecting Port Harcourt to Maiduguri and other regions of Nigeria.
“This district encompasses Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Rivers, and part of Egbede in Benue State, which borders the north-central district over a distance of approximately 110 kilometers,” he explained.
“I am pleased to report that the segment of the contract was officially handed over to the NRC on November 28, 2024. We currently operate train services between Port Harcourt and Aba five days a week,” he added.
While Adamu acknowledged a temporary suspension of work from Aba to Umuahia and down to Enugu, he assured that the Federal Government is committed to ensuring that construction and rehabilitation of the remaining sections of the contract will begin as soon as possible.
He further explained that, under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, work on the narrow gauge has resumed. “This project will benefit the Southeast and other regions of the country. The Federal Government is making significant efforts to restore the functionality of the rail lines,” he stated.
In April, the Managing Director of NRC, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, visited Enugu, where he engaged in productive discussions with the governors of Abia and Enugu states. “I believe this visit will lead to significant developments along this corridor,” he concluded.
