FG fast tracks construction of rail manufacturing company in Nigeria … Signs MoU on Rail Modernisation

Abiodun OBA |

The Federal Government has taken a giant stride to boost and fast track the construction of rail manufacturing company in Nigeria.

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi who disclosed this in Russia, said two Russian companies have been engaged to the effect.

The media aid to the Minister Mr Israel Ibeleme, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, named Joint Stock Company Russian Railway (JSCRR) and Transmash Holding, a private rolling stock manufacturing company as the two Russian companies for the modernisation and development of Nigeria’s railway infrastructure with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with them.

The MoU also covers the rehabilitation of existing Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) rolling stock-fleet and upgrading of workshops across the country.

Recall that the Nigerian government gave the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) the nod to establish a rail manufacturing plant in the country.

The Minister in the statement reiterated that the present administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari was determined to ensure the development of a standard rail infrastructure in line with best practices.

Amaechi also noted that before the end of December, Nigeria would receive 20 locomotives and wagons which would be used for the railway service on Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kaduna and Itakpe-Warri rail line.

The agreement was signed with CEO-Chairman, Joint Stock Company Russian Railway, Mr Oleg Belozerov and the Chief Executive Officer Transmash holding, Mr Kirill Lipa during the Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi, Russia