The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has said an efficient railway system will boost Nigeria’s GDP, strengthen trade and food security, reduce transportation costs and improve the general standard of living.
Speaking on TVC’s This Morning Show, Opeifa said the Corporation is focused on optimising existing railway assets while encouraging greater participation by state governments, regional development commissions and the private sector.
‘The NRC is not doing badly, but we could do better. We should have been better than where we are today if not for many years of inaction,’ he said.
He explained that Nigeria inherited an extensive railway network linking major parts of the country, but decades of inadequate investment and the abandonment of the narrow-gauge system during the modernisation drive created major setbacks.
According to him, the present administration is correcting past mistakes by rehabilitating existing lines, expanding the standard-gauge network and strengthening partnerships with states.
Opeifa said moving railway matters from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List has opened fresh opportunities for states and private investors.
He cited the Lagos Red Line as a successful example of what he described as ‘Railing with the States,’ adding that similar initiatives are being pursued in Plateau and Zamfara states.
He also disclosed that regional development commissions and state governments across the South West, South East, North East and North Central are engaging the NRC on railway development.
‘Every state and region is now showing interest, and the national government is ready,’ he said.
On freight development, Opeifa said the Federal Government had completed the connection of the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge Railway to the port, while goods are also being moved from Apapa towards Ilorin on the narrow gauge.
He added that arrangements had been concluded to move freight from Lagos to Kano, Kaduna and Minna, stressing that the Corporation is determined to keep existing railway corridors commercially active.
The NRC boss said the Port Harcourt-Aba section of the Eastern corridor had also been completed and was operational.
He identified poor road links to railway stations as a major challenge to intermodal transportation and urged state governments to provide efficient connections between railway stations, cities and public transport networks.
According to him, railway remains a major driver of industrial development, supporting factories, agriculture, mining, petroleum distribution and inland container movement.
He said completion of rehabilitation works on the Western Line would create opportunities for increased movement of petroleum products and other freight by rail, thereby reducing pressure on roads.
Opeifa also disclosed that the NRC is exploring opportunities in livestock and agricultural transportation, including the use of refrigerated wagons for perishable goods.
On regional connectivity, he said Nigeria’s railway links with neighbouring countries would strengthen trade and give landlocked countries access to Nigerian seaports.
He expressed optimism that the Kaduna-Kano railway project could be completed by December 2026, paving the way for rail movement from Abuja to Kano.
Speaking on the suspended Warri-Itakpe Train Service, Opeifa apologised to passengers and said safety remained the Corporation’s priority.
He explained that although track rehabilitation and a test run had been completed, passenger operations would not resume until safety audits of the track, equipment and personnel were concluded.
Opeifa also said the NRC had completed a proof of concept for the use of Liquefied Natural Gas in railway operations and remained committed to tackling ticket racketeering.
‘If we get the railway system right, our GDP will increase, farmers and small businesses will benefit, inflation will continue its downward movement and the general standard of living will improve,’ he said.
He urged state and local governments, regional development bodies and private investors to take advantage of opportunities in the railway sector.