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Lawyers seek review of octogenarian, 20 others’ detention in Ebonyi

Two lawyers – M. O. Idam and Oko-Ewa Enyim – have appealed to the Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru to review the continued detention of an octogenarian, Pa. Igine, and over 20 other Amasiri indigenes held in connection with the Amasiri-Edda boundary clash in JanuaryIdam and Enyim stressed that sustainable peace in the area would require justice, fairness and adherence to due process.

They urged the governor to use the reconciliation as an opportunity to restore confidence among the affected communities.

Idam, in a September 7 memo addressed to the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Ebonyi State, said the prolonged detention of the elderly man and other suspects required urgent reconsideration in the interest of justice.

He argued that criminal proceedings should not become a means of subjecting persons to prolonged hardship, particularly where available facts do not establish a direct or indirect connection between the accused persons and the alleged offences.

The lawyer said he recently discovered that Pa. Igine, whose case he had been advocating, was the same elderly man he knew while growing up in Amaogwu Ndukwe, Amasiri, his maternal home.

According to him, the discovery heightened his concern about the fate of the octogenarian, whom he described as a peaceful man who had lived most of his life without controversy before becoming involved in the legal process arising from the crisis.

Idam said the AG, by virtue of the powers conferred on the office to institute, take over or discontinue criminal proceedings, has a duty to ensure that such powers are exercised in line with justice, fairness and public interest.

He maintained that where evidence does not sufficiently connect an accused person to an alleged offence, continued prosecution should be reconsidered to prevent the criminal justice system from being used as an instrument of hardship.

The lawyer also expressed concern over the detention of more than 20 other Amasiri indigenes at the Abakaliki Correctional Centre, alleging that some of them were arrested as part of measures taken following the boundary dispute.

Also, Enyim, president of Ebonyi South in Diaspora Group, urged the governor to extend the same consideration to those still detained over the crisis.

He argued that criminal accountability must be based on individual responsibility and not collective punishment.

Enyim said while anyone found to have committed an offence during the crisis should face the law, communities should not continue to suffer indefinitely for actions allegedly committed by individuals.

He however commended the governor for receiving the interim report of the Amasiri-Edda Boundary Adjustment and Demarcation Committee and taking steps towards resolving the dispute.

The lawyer praised Nwifuru’s decision to reinstate the traditional rulers of Ndukwe and Ezeke autonomous communities and restore their entitlements, describing the move as a positive step towards reconciliation.

The diaspora group president also called for a broader reconciliation that would address the losses suffered by affected families, including deaths, destruction of property and disruption of livelihoods.

He urged the government to ensure that the ongoing boundary demarcation exercise is conducted transparently and professionally, with both Amasiri and Edda communities respecting the process.

NUPRC threatens to revoke unused gas flare sites

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has said awardees of flare gas sites could see their permits revoked if they do not utilise them.

The Commission Chief Executive, NUPRC, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, stated this during a working visit to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, in Abuja last Tuesday.

NUPRC’s Head, Corporate Communications and Media, Eniola Akinkuotu, disclosed this in a press statement yesterday.

The statement stressed that the CCE presented an update on the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP) ‘One year after an award has been granted, the Commission conducts an evaluation to determine whether there has been considerable progress,’ Eyesan said.’

She added that where there is insufficient progress, the Commission will take appropriate regulatory action, including revocation of the award where necessary.

According to her, despite initial resistance from some operators, the NGFCP has continued to record significant progress.

She noted that 43 flare gas sites were originally identified for award. So far, 27 sites have been successfully awarded, and implementation efforts are ongoing, Eyesan said.

The NUPRC noted that Nigeria currently has over 215 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of proven gas reserves and an estimated total reserve base of about 600 TCF.’

These resources provide a strong foundation for power generation, industrialisation, exports and broader economic development,’ she said.

On host community development, Eyesan said the Petroleum Industry Act introduced the Host Community Development Trust framework to address longstanding concerns in host communities and ensure that petroleum resources are utilised for sustainable development.

According to her, available data indicates that the implementation of the trusts has resulted in significant reductions in oil theft and oil spillage while fostering more harmonious relationships between operators and host communities.

She further disclosed that significant progress has been recorded since the implementation of the initiative.’

To date, 173 Host Community Development Trusts have been incorporated, 147 have been funded, over 1,001 projects are currently ongoing, while more than 200 projects have been successfully commissioned across host communities,’ she said.In his remarks, Rt.Hon Ekpo called for a deliberate and aggressive implementation of Nigeria’s gas commercialization programme to ensure the country achieves its 2030 target of eliminating routine gas flare.’The core objective is to add value to our gas resources by converting them into critical products and services. We must move away from environmental pollution and toward productive resource utilization,’ the minister added.

Otti declares open inaugural South East migration dialogue, calls for implementation of resolutions

Alex Otti, governor of Abia State, has declared open the inaugural South East Migration Dialogue 2026 with a call for participants and stakeholders to translate the national migration framework into practical outcomes for the people of the South East.

Otti, while declaring the event open at the Government House, Umuahia, Wednesday, emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among governments, development partners, and other stakeholders to promote safe and regular migration.

Governor Otti, represented by his Deputy, Ikechukwu Emetu, said that migration should be orderly and stressed the need for a result-orientated outcome at the end of the dialogue.

‘The message for us is clear: migration must be orderly, lawful, protected and accompanied by social cohesion and opportunities for host communities.

‘This should not remain a resolution on paper. We should identify who will act by when, with what resources and against what measurable indicators.

‘The states do not seek to supplant the constitutional responsibilities of the federal government in immigration and foreign affairs. Rather, we seek to complement national policy through state-level skill development, data, investment, facilitation, migration protection and diaspora engagement.

‘We should fear a system that allows our people to travel without skills, protection, strategy and/or connection to home. The southeast does not merely want its people to succeed abroad. We want their success abroad to be strengthened in the prosperity of the communities and the country they call home,’ Otti stated.

Otti, who further urged participants to pursue five practical outcomes, including a regional framework, building digital skills, promotion of safe migration, diaspora development and protection and reintegration of returnees, which Abia is already doing, commended the organisers for convening the programme at a time ‘when migration has become not merely a matter of human mobility, but a strategic question of human capital, economic development, national security, and international opportunity’.

In her goodwill message, the wife of the Abia State Governor, Priscilla Otti, called for stronger collaboration among governments, civil society organisations, development partners and other stakeholders to promote the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians on the move.

The First Lady, who was represented by Uche Eme Uche. The professor and Commissioner for Tertiary Education recalled painful experiences of young people deceived by traffickers and families losing their life savings to irregular migration agents, as well as migrants facing detention, death in deserts or dangerous journeys across the seas, and noted that it was the need to confront such realities that made the South East Migration Dialogue particularly important.

Aliyu Tijani Ahmed, director general, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, expressed appreciation to Governor Otti for hosting the dialogue, noting that the decision to host it in Abia was a demonstration of the commitment of Governor Otti to responsible migration governance, protection of vulnerable persons and sustainable reintegration of returning migrants, and commended him for giving N1 million each to Abia indigenes who recently returned from South Africa.

Tijani-Ahmed explained that the dialogue provided, for the first time, a regional platform for stakeholders from the five Southeast states to examine migration issues affecting the region and develop practical solutions, and noted that the Southeast had unique migration experiences, including significant internal and international mobility, a strong diaspora presence, irregular migration, human trafficking, migrant smuggling and return migration, hence the need for the dialogue.

He described the initiative as an important step towards decentralising migration governance in Nigeria, explaining that decentralisation did not mean fragmentation of national migration policy but the translation of national commitments into coordinated action at state and local levels.

Also, the representative of the Chief of Mission, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Ukamaka Osigwe Anyamaechi; the Country Director, International Returns and Reintegration Assistance (IRARA), Roland Nwoha; and the National Coordinator, Civil Society Network on Migration and Development (CSONetMADE), Emeka Obiezu, appreciated the Abia state government for hosting the dialogue and commended Governor Alex Otti’s achievements.

They highlighted the South East’s migration history and diaspora contributions, stressing the need for partnerships to provide accurate information, protect migrants, expand skills and employment opportunities, and support returnees’ reintegration.

Earlier in his welcome address, the South East Coordinator of the Civil Society Network on Migration and Development (CSoNetMADE), Jeto Nwadi, while disclosing the theme ‘Partnership for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration’, noted that migration was not simply the movement of people but an issue closely connected to livelihoods, development, labour mobility, family welfare and reunification, climate change, human rights and the aspirations of young and old people.

The dialogue brought together policymakers, migration experts, development partners, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to deliberate on migration issues, share evidence-based policy solutions, and strengthen regional cooperation for sustainable development.

Investors pour N6.3tn into OMO as yields fall below 20%

Investors’ demand for the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Open Market Operation (OMO) bills surged to N6.31 trillion on Tuesday, more than six times the amount offered, even as yields continued to decline.

The CBN offered N1 trillion across three tenors but received N6.31 trillion in subscriptions and allotted about N4.4 trillion, reflecting strong appetite for the central bank’s securities as investors seek to lock funds into relatively low-risk naira assets.

The 154-day bill attracted the highest demand, with N4.2 trillion in subscriptions against N400 billion offered. It cleared at a stop rate of 18.41 percent, translating to a true yield of 19.96 percent, down from 20.64 percent at the previous auction.

The 68-basis-point decline means investors are accepting lower returns even as demand for OMO bills remains elevated.

Victor Ogundijo, a fixed-income trader at CardinalStone, previously attributed strong OMO demand to increased liquidity in the banking system, driven by inflows from maturing securities and coupon payments.

‘The improved demand was influenced by increased interbank liquidity on the back of accumulated inflows from bond coupons and OMO maturities that have been in the system,’ Ogundijo said.

His comments provide context for the latest auction, where investors continued to channel excess cash into CBN securities despite lower yields.

Analysts have also pointed to investors’ expectations around the future direction of interest rates as a factor behind strong demand. In May, Oluwaseun Williams, a fixed-income analyst, said investors were balancing the need for flexibility with the desire to lock in prevailing yields amid uncertainty over whether rates had peaked.

The latest auction comes as the CBN expanded the pool of investors able to participate in OMO transactions. In August, the apex bank reopened OMO participation to individuals, corporates and non-bank financial institutions, a move expected to deepen the market and provide an additional avenue for liquidity management.

The decision is particularly relevant as Nigeria approaches the 2027 election cycle, when increased government spending could inject more liquidity into the financial system and complicate the CBN’s efforts to contain inflation. BusinessDay previously reported that analysts viewed the expanded OMO access as another tool for absorbing potential election-related liquidity.

The CBN has increasingly relied on OMO sales to sterilise excess liquidity in the financial system. By selling the securities, the apex bank takes naira out of circulation for the duration of the investment, helping to manage money-market conditions.

Across the latest auction, the 84-day bill attracted N797.21 billion in subscriptions and was allotted at N637.19 billion, with a stop rate of 19.14 percent. The 147-day paper received N1.31 trillion in bids and was allotted N817.32 billion at a stop rate of 18.49 percent.

The heavy demand despite falling yields suggests investors remain comfortable holding OMO bills, supported by their relatively low risk and the availability of surplus liquidity.

However, continued yield compression could gradually push investors towards longer-dated securities or higher-risk assets in search of better returns.

For the CBN, the auction shows it can continue to absorb substantial liquidity from the financial system even as market yields ease.

2027: Adebutu vows to take back Ogun for PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, has vowed to reclaim the state for the party in the 2027 governorship election, with promise that he would restore people-centered governance, revive the local economy and tackle corruption when elected.

Adebutu said this while addressing supporters, at the flag off of his governorship campaign in Ake Palace, Abeokuta.

He said his confidence in the people of Ogun remained unshaken, stressing that the PDP demonstrated commitment to human dignity, infrastructural development and the welfare of citizens when it was in power.

He recalled the period between 2003 and 2011, when, according to him, PDP administrations strengthened local government autonomy and implemented policies aimed at grassroots development and wealth creation.

Adebutu said the period witnessed improvements in the local economy, payment of pensions and gratuities, as well as policies designed to directly benefit workers and communities.

He, however, accused successive administrations since 2011 of subjecting residents to hardship, economic stagnation and neglect, alleging that poor governance and corruption had undermined the state’s development.

The PDP candidate promised that, if elected, his administration would pursue a comprehensive development agenda centred on security, healthcare, agriculture, trade and investment, local government development, regional planning and transportation, education, youth and women empowerment, among other areas.

He said his administration would also focus on strategic infrastructure, residential development, job creation, a resilient economy and the development of functional and liveable communities.

According to him, accountability, transparency and the fight against corruption would form a major component of his administration.

Adebutu also alleged irregularities in the management of the state’s finances, saying a review of government budgets over the past seven years had raised serious concerns.

He further alleged that some companies doing business with the government were registered without proper identification of their directors, while some company accounts were allegedly not properly linked to Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs).

He said he was currently verifying the allegations and would, where appropriate, make the details public.

Adebutu declared that his political commitment to Ogun State was total, saying his years of involvement in the state had given him a strong understanding of the challenges facing its people.

‘My stake in our shared destiny is total, permanent and absolute,’ he said.

He pledged that a PDP government under his leadership would restore what he described as the party’s glorious people-centred governance,create opportunities for prosperity and build a government founded on accountability and transparency.

Adebutu urged Ogun residents to support the PDP in the 2027 election, saying their votes would usher in a new era of development and good governance in the state.

Court orders INEC to adopt NDC’s two-finger logo

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to approve and use the modified digital logo of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), featuring a two-finger victory sign.

The court also restrained INEC from stopping or interfering with the party’s use of the logo as its official symbol in all elections conducted by the commission.

The judgment was delivered by Justice J.O. Abdulmalik in a suit filed by the NDC after INEC allegedly removed the party’s modified logo from its platform and reverted to the old association logo with which the party was originally registered.

The NDC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said its First National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on March 25, 2026, approved the modified logo and forwarded it to INEC.

According to the party, INEC subsequently uploaded the new logo but later removed it without communicating any reason to the NDC and restored the old logo.

The party said it gave the commission sufficient time to correct what it described as an administrative error, but resorted to the court after its efforts failed.

In the judgment, Justice Abdulmalik ordered INEC, its servants, agents and officers to ‘forthwith approve the modified logo design’ of the NDC, including its symbol and colours.

The court described the logo as a digitally designed ‘two-finger victory sign with a blue background and the word ‘NDC’ written in red on top’, directing that it be used as the party’s official logo for all purposes, including elections conducted by INEC.

The court further granted a perpetual injunction restraining INEC from stopping or interfering with the NDC’s use of the digitally designed two-finger victory sign.

Reacting to the judgment, the NDC thanked the judiciary for what it described as timely intervention and for directing INEC to upload and utilise its modified digital logo.

The party directed all its candidates and members to use only the approved logo on campaign materials and other publicity items, including banners and posters.

It acknowledged that some candidates and members might have already produced campaign materials bearing the old logo, expressing regret over the inconvenience caused.

The NDC said it would intensify public sensitisation on its official logo and assured its supporters and candidates that there was no cause for concern.

Constitutional Court rejects petition over NBTC chairman

The Constitutional Court has unanimously dismissed a petition seeking a ruling against the continued tenure of National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) chairman Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck.

The judges on Thursday found that the petitioner had not demonstrated a direct violation of his constitutional rights or freedoms.

The complaint was filed by Metha Matkhao, a political activist and acting secretary-general of the Campaign for Popular Democracy (CPD).

Mr Metha asked the court to rule that under Section 213 of the constitution, Dr Sarana and a number of others had failed to take action as required by law.

Also named in the complaint were Trairat Viriyasirikul, the acting secretary-general of the NBTC; Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, former prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the secretary-general of the Senate and his predecessor.

The petition alleged that their failure had allowed Dr Sarana to continue serving as NBTC chairman, in violation of Sections 18 and 20 of the Frequency Allocation Act.

Mr Metha also cited Sections 3, 6, 180 and 182 of the constitution to claim his rights and liberties had been violated through the unlawful exercise of state power.

However, the court found that neither the petition nor the accompanying documents demonstrated how Mr Metha had been directly affected or suffered damage as a result of the actions of the people named in the petition.

Paralysis continues

The NBTC board on Wednesday failed to hold a meeting for the ninth consecutive time due to lack of a quorum.

The paralysis stems from the protracted legal dispute related to the status of the Dr Sarana.

Three members have consistently boycotted meetings as they say any decisions taken under the current chairman could later be challenged if his dismissal is upheld.

The Senate committee overseeing NBTC appointments voted in July this year to disqualify the high-profile heart specialist on grounds that he continued to work and receive compensation from a state-run hospital after being named to the NBTC board in 2021.

He has challenged the finding, with both the Central Administrative Court and the Supreme Administrative Court hearing arguments. Prime Minister Anutin earlier signed an order to dismiss Dr Sarana but that too is on hold pending further legal clarity.

NBTC commissioners are among the highest-paid among their peers at state agencies and enterprises, with salaries and allowances totalling 360,000 baht a month. The chairman’s compensation is 450,000 baht a month.

TUC Opposes Dual Citizens Becoming MPs

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has cautioned against opening Parliament to dual citizens, insisting that membership of the legislature must be reserved for people whose allegiance to the country is beyond question.

The union says it sees no justification for changing the constitutional restriction that prevents Ghanaians who hold citizenship of another country from contesting parliamentary elections without first renouncing that citizenship.

The issue has emerged as the government considers recommendations submitted by the Constitutional Review Committee for changes to the 1992 Constitution.

At a press conference to outline its position on the proposed reforms, the TUC Secretary-General, Joshua Ansah, said the recommendation on dual citizenship was unacceptable to organised labour.

‘The TUC disagrees with the recommendation to amend Article 94(2) to allow US citizens to contest parliamentary elections and become Members of Parliament while remaining a citizen of another country,’ he said.

Mr. Ansah described the proposal as ‘self-serving’ and a threat to the principle of genuine citizenship, arguing that it would not advance Ghana’s national interest.

‘In fact, we characterise the recommendation as self-serving and a direct assault on genuine citizenship. It is contradictory and serves no useful purpose for the country,’ he added.

The TUC believes that anyone entrusted with the responsibility of making laws and representing Ghanaians in Parliament should have an undivided commitment to the country.

It has therefore urged the government to retain the existing restrictions on dual citizens seeking parliamentary office.

Consensus Needed

The union also wants the constitutional review process to be subjected to wider consultation, warning against amendments that could be shaped primarily by the interests of the government of the day.

Mr. Ansah said political parties, organised labour and other relevant groups must be brought into the process to build broad agreement around any proposed changes.

He said although the Constitutional Review Committee consulted sections of the public, its approach could not be compared with the inclusiveness of the Constituent Assembly that produced the 1992 Constitution.

The TUC is particularly concerned about the possibility of a referendum being limited to issues selected by the government, potentially excluding proposals supported by other stakeholders.

‘We foresee a danger,’ Mr. Ansah said, cautioning that such an approach could allow future governments with the necessary parliamentary majority to amend non-entrenched provisions of the Constitution to suit their political philosophies and manifestos.

‘We must not open up the Constitution for partisan political manoeuvring,’ he stressed.

Supports Five-Year Term

The TUC, however, does not oppose every proposed constitutional change.

It has endorsed the proposal to increase the presidential term from four to five years, although it wants the extension to be accompanied by measures that strengthen governance and accountability.

The union has also backed proposed changes to Article 70 aimed at reducing the President’s appointment powers.

It maintains, however, that reviewing Article 70 alone would not adequately address the issue and that the provisions of Article 195 should also be considered as part of the exercise.

The TUC’s position comes as government advances the constitutional reform process.

The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has already inaugurated an 11-member Constitution Review Implementation Committee (CRIC) to work on the proposals arising from the review.

For the TUC, however, any changes to the country’s supreme law must be based on broad national consensus rather than the interests of a particular political administration.

PHL gets $60-M grant to fortify energy sector

The Philippines and the United States signed a $60-million (roughly P3.68 billion) grant agreement to mobilize more investments in the energy sector and make electricity affordable and reliable.

The Department of Finance (DOF) said Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go and US Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton signed the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Threshold Program Grant Agreement (TPGA) on Thursday.

The grant will bankroll a four-year-and-nine-month Threshold Program that will address policy and institutional gaps in the energy sector and strengthen the country’s eligibility for the MCC Compact, a larger grant program that finances major economic development projects and policy reforms, the DOF said in a statement.

The program will support two projects, particularly reforms under the Energy Development Governance Efficiency (Edge) Project and the American Investment Mechanism (Aim) Project.

The Edge Project will be implemented by the Department of Energy, Energy Regulatory Commission, National Electrification Administration and National Power Corp. to create ‘a more reliable, efficient and responsive energy system.’

One component, the Permitting and Approvals Reform for Efficiency, will speed up government approvals and reduce transaction costs associated with energy projects.

The other, the Smart Utilities for Regional Growth in Energy component, will support electric cooperatives through power-grid digitalization and secure financing for strategic infrastructure investments.

The reforms are expected to facilitate faster development of energy projects, reduce power disruptions and improve the affordability of electricity for consumers and businesses, the DOF said.

Meanwhile, the Aim Project will receive funding to catalyze private sector investment and support coordinated investment with the US International Development Finance Corporation.

It will also prepare high-impact projects for investment by funding feasibility studies, project design, market assessments and other support needed to make projects ready for financing.

‘We extend our gratitude to the US government for approving a 60-million-US dollar grant under the MCC Threshold Program. This support will help us address key policy and institutional gaps to strengthen the foundations of our energy sector,’ Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go said.

The Philippines is one of a limited number of countries selected to receive financial aid under the MCC Threshold Program.

The MCC is an independent US Government international development agency that provides time-limited grants with the goal of promoting economic growth, reducing poverty and strengthening institutions.

’60 Years of Railway mistakes still haunting Nigeria’ – NRC boss, Opeifa

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa, has said Nigeria’s railway system suffered decades of neglect after independence, leaving the country to grapple with infrastructure gaps that are still affecting transportation and economic development.

Opeifa said the NRC was not performing badly, but acknowledged that the corporation should have achieved significantly more if successive governments had sustained investment and avoided what he described as years of inaction and policy mistakes.

He made the remarks during an interview on TVC’s This Morning Show, where he outlined the Federal Government’s plans to revitalise the railway system, expand partnerships with states and the private sector, improve freight services and connect major cities, ports and economic centres across the country.

According to him, Nigeria inherited a railway network that had been deliberately developed during the pre-independence period to connect the eastern and western parts of the country with the north.

He said the system subsequently lost momentum after independence as attention shifted largely to railway operations without corresponding modernisation and expansion.

‘From 1960, we started focusing only on operations and this we did till about 2000 when former President Obasanjo started the modernization of the NRC,’ he said.

Opeifa also recalled that the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo had earlier envisaged the importance of standard-gauge rail infrastructure, but said the idea was not sufficiently pursued at the time.

He said another mistake occurred after the Obasanjo administration when the modernisation process was interpreted as an abandonment of the existing narrow-gauge network.

‘Sadly again, after Chief Obasanjo’s administration left, we started misinterpreting the modernization process by abandoning the narrow gauge, which was a huge mistake,’ he said.

He said the consequences of the decisions taken over decades continued to affect the corporation.

‘The mess-up of 60 years after independence is still haunting us,’ he said.

‘We inherited a sick railway system’

The NRC boss compared the condition inherited by the present administration to a patient who had been living with an undiagnosed illness.

‘When the current administration came, they took over a sick person who is not aware of his sickness till he was taken to the hospital only to discover that he had cancer,’ he said.

He said the administration had now identified the structural problems confronting the railway sector and was seeking to correct them by first making existing infrastructure more productive.

‘This administration has made its diagnosis and has seen the mistakes which should be opportunity to make things better,’ he said.

Opeifa said the immediate priority was to optimise existing railway infrastructure while simultaneously expanding the network.

‘We have to optimise what we have in the first instance. Make sure that what we have works for us,’ he said.

The NRC managing director said the removal of railway development from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list had opened a new phase in the development of rail transportation in Nigeria.

He said states and private investors could now play a more direct role in developing and operating rail services in partnership with the Federal Government.

According to him, the Lagos Blue and Red Line projects demonstrate the possibilities created by closer cooperation between federal and state governments.

He said the Lagos Red Line, in particular, represented what the NRC described as ‘Railing with the State’, where states leverage national railway infrastructure to develop their own transportation systems.

Opeifa said similar discussions were taking place in other parts of the country.

He cited Plateau State, where arrangements were being made around the Jos-Bukuru line, with plans to extend the service to Kuru.

He also said the Zamfara State Government was working on operating a 19-kilometre railway section in Gusau.

The Federal Government, he added, was providing funding support to states for the development of intra-city metro rail projects in Kano, Kaduna and Lagos.

He said the emerging model would allow national railway infrastructure to support state-level transportation systems instead of operating as completely separate networks.

New 25-year railway plan

Opeifa said the government was also reviewing and reconceptualising the country’s 25-year railway development plan to ensure that major cities in all 36 states were eventually connected by rail.

He said regional development commissions were also beginning to identify opportunities to leverage the national railway network.

According to him, the South West Development Commission was working on logistics and passenger train services using the national track that passes through several communities in the region.

He listed routes through Oyo, Osogbo, Iwo, Ede, Moniya, Omi-Adé, Abeokuta and Olodo as some of the corridors with potential for expanded rail services.

He said similar conversations were underway in the South-East.

‘I recently met with the Governor of Abia State, and I also met with the Governor of Enugu State, and they are all talking about their own South Eastern Railway System,’ he said.

Opeifa added that the North-East Development Commission and North-Central Development Commission had also written to the NRC, with discussions expected to commence soon.

‘Every state and region is now showing interest and the national government is ready,’ he said.