Senate Commends Rail Modernization, Assures of Adequate Support


By Victor Okiche

The Senate Committee on Land Transportation, headed by its Chairman, Senator Adamu Aliero, has emphasised the importance of the National Local Content Policy, introduced in 2018 for railway development while declaring support for rail modernization across the country.


The Senate Committee Chairman, made the remarks during an oversight function and on-the-spot assessment of facilities and operations on the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Guage Rail System

 

The Senate Committee, which embarked on the inspection of the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Rail Guage System, started its inspection from the Ticketing section and departure hall of the Mobolaji Johnson Train Station in Ebute-meta, where they observed the daily train operations.


The Committee also inspected the train wagon Assembly Plant located in Kajola, where they had a first-hand experience of operations and production of wagons and the Wole Soyinka train Station, all in Abeokuta, Ogun State.


While the Senate Committee hailed the railway modernization, it also pledged to give the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, the needed legislative backing to boost the rail sector across the country.


The Chairman Senate Committee on Land Transportation, Senator Adamu Aliero, explained that the National Assembly recently passed a supplementary appropriation bill for counterpart funding into law for the development of the rail system in the country.


The Senate Committee Chairman on Land Transportation, noted that the African Development Bank is set to release 350 million US dollars to the Federal Government for construction of a rail line between Kano to Maradi as well as ongoing negotiation for fund for Ibadan to Kano rail line.


"The Federal government has met its own terms of agreement to provide 15% counterpart funding but tha it is awaiting 85% funding from international bodies like African Development Bank and China EXIM Bank".


“It is intended as counterpart funding for a broader investment plan, with 85 percent of the required financing expected from international lenders, including the African Development Bank (AfDB) and China Exim Bank".


"The African Development Bank has also pledged $350 million to support the rail line connecting Kano to Maradi, while negotiations in China aimed at unlocking further funding for projects linking the southern and northern corridors remain on course".


On technical services, the Committee members who were impressed that Nigerian engineers would soon take over the technical aspects of the rail sector in line with local content structure, advised the contractor to ensure transfer of knowledge and skills in the construction of railway projects across the country to enable Nigerians take over the system in the nearest future.


At the Train Wagon Assembly Plant located in Kajola, Ogun State, one of the Chinese-trained Nigerian engineers, Adeoye Adedayo, took time to explain stage by stage process of a rail wagon production.


Members of the Senate Committee on Land Transport that accompanied the Chairman are, Senator Benson Friday Kombowei Vice Chairman, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, Senator Tony Nwoye, Senator Kelvin Chukwu, Senator Plang Dicket, and the Clerk of the Committee, Solomon Jokotoye.

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