NRC to revamp P’Harcourt-Aba-Enugu rail line to meet demand

Kayode Opeifa, managing director (MD) of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), says the federal government places the Enugu-Port Harcourt railway project as one of its top priorities, allocating a fair share of the national budget to the infrastructure development.

Opeifa, who led a senior management team on a working visit to the state, spoke on Thursday at the Enugu government house.

He commended Peter Mbah, the Enugu state governor, for building road transport terminals, seeing it as an opportunity for railway collaboration.

The MD noted that Mbah’s infrastructure drive is already improving the standard of living in the state.

While pledging to collaborate with the state government, he announced plans to revamp the Port Harcourt-Aba-Enugu rail line to meet growing business demand.

“The whole essence of this visit is to deepen our relationship and collaboration with the state government under the administration of Governor Peter Mbah,” he said.

“I also want you to know that the Nigerian Railway Corporation and the Enugu City shared a common history.

“Enugu State is doing what the Nigerian Railway is looking forward to. The building of road transport terminals by the administration is what we are trying to take advantage of in our railway corridors.

“I came to discuss about it. The discussion has been on. So I only came to affirm it. I have eyes, I can see. I have ears, I can hear.

“When I entered this city, I see the difference this administration is making. I can hear from those who live here for longer.

“Seriously speaking, this is a different kind of government. He is a businessman. He knows what he wants, and he doesn’t see obstacles or challenges.

“He just faces what he wants to do, and that is why you can see him achieving all these.

“Meanwhile, he told me that what we call much is actually that little, saying that many, many more will come, and I believe him.”

TINUBU ASKS NRC DG TO PARTNER WITH ENUGU ON TRANSPORTATION

Opeifa said President Bola Tinubu has directed the NRC to partner with the Enugu government to strengthen transportation infrastructure and appealed for tighter security around rail assets to curb vandalism.

On his part, Mbah said Enugu’s relationship with the railway corporation dates back to the discovery of coal and its shipment to Port Harcourt by rail in 1918.

He commended the NRC management for its ongoing revitalisation, saying the eastern railway corridor meets longstanding demands from leaders in the southeast, recently approved by Tinubu.

Mbah added that southeast states are pursuing a common market that requires efficient rail connectivity and promised to support NRC’s medical facility and protect its assets in the state.