Over 1000 workers for Warri-Itakpe rail corridor-NRC

Over 1000 workers will be employed for the Warri-Itakpe standard gauge rail corridor, says the Federal Government.

Mr Fidet Okhiria, the Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation, disclosed this on Saturday in Lagos.

“It’s about 320km, about 12 stations and we have to engage people that will maintain the tracks, people that will work in the stations and sell tickets.

“Also, technicians that will examine the train. So, we are going to engage close to over 1000 to maintain about 320km track, both junior and senior.

“New employees can’t just be sent there; they must be trained.

“In order for them to be trained, we will be moving people from the existing staff, but we have to replace them. So we have to fill up those position before the new people will be trained and certify to be part of the train operations,” he said.

NRC operates a one-year training programme for graduate staff and three months for the junior staff.

According to Okhiria, the 12 stations for the train service are still under construction, adding that temporary stations would be used pending completion.

He, however, said that the stations would be completed by the first quarter of 2019, noting that some of the houses at the railway village were renovated recently for workers.

Okhiria said that a lot has been achieved, especially in the rail system under the current administration, with the purchase of more rolling stock and wagons.