FG set to commence operations on Itakpe-Warri Rail Lines

Chinazor Megbolu |

The Federal Government has said that the test-run of newly acquired coaches for the completed Itakpe-Warri standard gauge rail line will soon kick-off.

This was disclosed through the twitter handle of the Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, @ChibuikeAmaechi at weekend.

According to him; “today we started test-run of the newly delivered coaches on the completed Itakpe-Warri standard gauge rail line”.

He noted that the 276 kilometre rail line links Warri in Delta State to Ajaokuta in Kogi State, where a multi-billion dollar nearly completed steel company is also located.

Amaechi maintained that the rail line is made up of 12 stations with two located between Itakpe, Ajaokuta and Warri.

The stations he pointed includes; Itakpe; Eganiy; Adobe; Itogbo; Agenebode; Uromi; Egehen; Igbanke; Agbor; Abraka; Okpara and Ujewu.

Amaechi, however, disclosed that construction job had begun on the rail line 33 years ago in 1987, when it was being built to transport iron ore from mines around Itakpe to the steelworks in Ajaokuta.

The statement further added that the project was abandoned for several years before construction work continued when President Muhammadu Buhari assumed his first term tenure.

“The line is being extended from Itakpe to Abuja on one end and from Warri Town to Warri Port on the order.

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the naming of Itakpe-Warri Railway Complex in Agbor, Delta State after former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The operational hub, henceforth, will be known as ‘the Goodluck Jonathan Railway Station & Complex,’ ,” Amaechi said.