In every clime, the transport sector whether road, rail or air is critical to the success or failure of any business. In this piece, ADEOLA TUKURU takes a look at the sector and government’s efforts to give life to the sector.
The Nigerian government says it will work hard to sustain the gains the country has made in the transportation sector by reviving the railway stations in the process making the transportation goods and services easier.
Today, there is no doubt that the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi’s zeal to revolutionize the transport sector has never been seen in the country.
Objective of the ministry
The cardinal objective of the Ministry of Transportation is to provide a safe, affordable and efficient transport system and also operate railway infrastructure to meet the aim of government, which is, to boost trade and contribute to ecinomic growth of the country.
Since then, the Ministry of Transportation has struggled to meet these objectives particularly in the railway sub sector which is about the movement of goods and services as well as people from one part of the country to another in a most acceptable manner.
Just recently, plans are underway to increase the frequency of train services and the number of the trains to ensure constant operations across the country.
The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi assured Nigerians during the December Lagos/Ibadan railway inspection exercise of the project.
The minister lauded the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for laying tracks to the end of kilometer 156, which he said is the end of contract.
Track laying, construction
The minister lauded the Chinese company saying that it had done well in terms of track laying and construction.
The Minister said the federal government is mounting pressure on the company to use locally sourced materials for the project to enable industries create jobs for Nigerians.
He said the timeline is that minor stations should be ready in February while major stations would be ready in April.
“We should commend them for at least getting to the end of the contract. The contract is from Apapa to Ibadan and the end of the Ibadan station is 156 Kilometers.
“And we have gotten to 156 kilometers. Even though they are going to work to 157, 158, that is just extra, by themselves not by the contract. When it comes to track laying and track construction, they have done well. Have they done well with stations?
“We are encouraging them to as much as possible use Nigerian materials that are of good quality so that our industries can create jobs for those who will work,” he said.
He reiterated that after the trial runs that allows all passengers to ride free of charge from Lagos to Ibadan ends in April, the train services becomes commercial.
Planned coaches increase
The Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Engr Fidet Okhiria said there are plans to increase number of coaches on the route by end of January 2020.
Though, he frowned at the actions of some passengers who drop pads and toilet rolls into the train’s toilet, stressing that such actions block the toilet which he explained are pressurized toilets.
“We should advocate that they should not drop those things in the toilet so that they will block it because it is a pressurized toilet.
“When you vandalize and remove that thing you think is minor it can lead to death. So we should advocate and tell them that such act is just like throwing a bomb in the market, you do not know whether it is your relation that will be affected. They should avoid it,” he said.
On rail wagon assembly plant
In tge early days of this year, the Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo unveiled a rail wagon assembly plant at Kajola in Ogun state.
Thw Vice President at the official ground breaking ceremony said the plant, which is a private investment to be undertaken by Messers CCECC, is central in the production of rolling stock needed for the railway modernization program being implemented by the administration.
He explained that wagon plant will link the rail lines to the country’s ports. “When completed, it is expected that the plant would produce some parts of the wagons for the Lagos – Ibadan and Abuja – Kaduna rail lines, but also for the central rail lines and to satisfy the needs of other rail operators within the West- African sub-region.
“Secondly, the citing of the plant here in Nigeria and the commitment to hiring Nigerians and Nigerian businesses affirms the Presidents directives in Executive Order 5 on prioritizing Nigerians and Nigerian businesses in the innovation, production and procurement of Engineering projects and services.
“The plant would offer an important platform for engineers, technicians, artisans and other professionals to gain the specialized skills required for the production and maintenance of rolling stock.
“This will invariably conduce to spin-off businesses in the region of operation and across the country wherever rail networks are in existence.
Plant to generate direct, indirect jobs
“The plant is expected to generate about five thousand (5,000) direct and indirect jobs,” he said.
The Minister said the project is a direct investment of Messrs. CCECC Nig. Ltd in the country and would remain as part of gains from the contract signed for the supply of rolling stock.
He said it will be the first of its kind in Nigeria adding that as the first batch of the wagons to be assembled from the production line of the plant, it will form part of the rolling stock for Lagos – Ibadan and Abuja -Kaduna railway operations.
“More so, we would be able to conserve our much needed foreign exchange which can be deployed to other areas of development.
“Among all these, it is cardinal to mention that the sustainability of our railway modernization projects would depend on our ability to develop local capacity to construct, maintain and manage our new railway system.
“It is on this note that we feel that this project is germane to the railway development in Nigeria and that Messrs.CCECC should be given every reasonable support to actualize this investment,” he said.
Future efforts to revolutionize sector
The prioritized upcoming railways projects include Lagos to Calabar Coastal Railway line, Kano to Dayi to Kastina to Maradi and Railway Industrial Park in Port Harcourt among others.
The importance of railway infrastructure to economic development cannot be overemphasized. It is considered an essential feature of all modern economies.
Aside from the modern economies, Railway also have an important role in increasing production, reducing travel times, most especially for cargoes, and increasing employment and accessibility.
