RAILWAY: LINK ITAKPE TO ABUJA- NRC MD URGES GOVERNMENT

The Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Engineer Fidet Okhiria has urged the Federal Government to link the Itakpe axis to Abuja by rail in a bid to speed up development in the country, saying that this move would help the country cover up 75 per cent of the entire country.

The managing director made the plea during a courtesy call by the Executive Members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos State Council led by the Chairman, Mr.Adeleye Ajayi on Monday in Lagos.

According to Okhiria, the move was necessary to fast-track development across regions in Nigeria.

“I wish to reveal that there have been great developments, especially in states where we are very visible. Ibadan for example is springing up development in areas that are closer to the rail station while Lagos is fast becoming a tourism site,” he said..

Okhiria reiterated the commitment of the agency towards scaling up the level of work done in different corridors across the country.

He noted that there had been a decline in the level of vandalism across the country’s rail as operations had fully commenced in most of the stations.

The managing director pledged that security surveillance around the rail coaches would be scaled up for effectiveness and efficiency.

Okhiria lauded the media for being a partner in progress. 

“Nigerian Railway Corporation has received the attention it deserves through the media, and we are grateful for this” he added.

He admitted that Nigeria stood a better chance to grow and develop if all hands were on deck. 

“Against this backdrop, state governments of Borno, Kaduna, Plateau and Ogun are already partnering with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to build an efficient railway system in their respective states.

On his part, Mr Adeleye Ajayi, Chairman, of the Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ) Lagos Council specially commended Okhiria for repositioning the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC). 

“Nigerians are aware of your giant strides which is a testimony to your background and wealth of experience, having worked in all the seven districts of the Nigerian Railway Corporation.

“As a member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Institute of Management, Vanguard Society of Engineers, amongst others, one cannot expect less from a professional like you who has a track record of success.

Ajayi commended NRC for the professionalism it displayed in executing the directive of President Bola Tinubu over the 100 per cent discount on train trips for Nigerians who travelled to celebrate Christmas and New Year with their families. 

“We applaud NRC for its selfless service to the nation as no fewer than 163,000 Nigerians benefited from the exercise via the three routes being serviced by the Nigerian Railway Corporation from: Lagos– Ibadan, Warri – Itakpe and Abuja– Kaduna. 

“We equally salute your cordial relationship with the Minister of Transportation, Sen. Sa’idu Alkali, who recently embarked on the assessment of ongoing works along the Kaduna-Kano and the Kano-Maradi Rail Projects, where he assured the public of the completion of the Kano-Daura segment by 2025.

“We are equally delighted to hear about the corporation’s plans to boost cargo movement across the nation as moves are underway to enhance rail links between Lagos, Kaduna and Kano. 

“No doubt, the completion and operationalization of these rail corridors especially Lagos to Kano will facilitate optimal use of the Dala Inland Dry Port for movement of cargoes by rail from Lagos to Kano.

“It is believed that this initiative will reduce the cost of doing business, reduce the menace of road traffic accidents, and boost the GDP of our country,” he said

Speaking further, the NUJ Chairman commended NRC for the recent flag-off of the 62KM Port-Harcourt Aba Train service for commercial use by the minister of transportation.

“Sir, you will also recall that at the flag-off of the 62KM Port-Harcourt Aba Train service, you gave assurances that the China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC) was expected to deliver soon 50 narrow gauge locomotives and 100 narrow gauge coaches to be deployed along existing train corridors in the country. 

“You further encouraged the public of NRC’s commitment to offer better services, as containers can also be transported via this channel from Port-Harcourt to Aba.

“This is very laudable and heartwarming.

“Sir, your views on the need to diversify transportation modes and break monopolies within the port system are widely supported by stakeholders in the industry, and we urge you to keep lending more voice to developmental issues in the transport sector as an authority”. Ajayi said.

According to him, we are here majorly to present you with an Award of Excellence for your outstanding performance as the Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), which is long overdue.

“On our part, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos Council will continue to promote activities of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) around the clock.

“We look forward to partnership with NRC particularly in the area of capacity building for journalists covering transport beat. Such training will enable them to quote NRC correctly and not out of context to give your agency the necessary attention it deserves, ” Ajayi stressed.

Other executive members of Lagos NUJ present were, Tunde Olalere, Secretary of NUJ Lagos State Council; Olayide Awosanya Assistant Secretary; and Moses Omorogieva, Secretary of NUJ Press Week Committee.