MD Assures On Lagos-Kano Rail Transport

Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr Sheyi Sijuade, says the corporation will resume services on the Lagos-Kano route after the completion of the Akere bridges and culverts in Niger, in April this year.

Sijuade made the plan known to newsmen at Akere, after assessing ongoing work at the site.

“You can see the height of the two bridges and culverts being constructed, and quite a significant chunk of the project is flood protection work.

“The job done so far is brilliant; I must say that this job has been very problematic. So, for us to get it done now shows that we will soon commence operations from Lagos to Kano.

“We are looking at commencing services by the end of April 2012 and full commercial services a few weeks after,” he said.

He said that the contract, which was awarded by the Federal Government to COSTAIN West Africa PLC at the cost of N12.1 billion in 2010, covered the stretch of the track from Jebba to Kano.

“A significant part of the contract is for the construction work to reclaim that area which is covered by flood during the peak of the rain which usually sweeps away the railway tracks,” he said.

Sijuade said the corporation recently acquired 20 new tank-wagons to move petroleum products from Lagos to other part of the country.

He said that additional coaches would be bought if Funds were approved in the 2012 budget for that purpose.

“In providing rolling stocks, the corporation is looking at a combination of new purchases and rehabilitation of the ones we have in stock,” he said

The managing director said the corporation would also buy new coaches and wagons for use in view of the ongoing construction of standard railway gauge across the country.

He expressed optimism that when the proposed executive bill to amend the NRC Act of 1955 reached the National Assembly, it would sail through to allow private sector participation in the railway transport sector and boost the development of the sector.

Earlier, Mr Cheng Yongyi, the Project Manager of the construction firm at the site, assured the managing director that the company would complete the job before the end of March.