Portharcourt - Maiduguri railway, Transport ministry seeks rehabilitation approval

The Ministry of Transportation is seeking President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval for the rehabilitation of the Portharcourt – Maiduguri narrow gauge.

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, told newsmen in Abuja that while waiting to get the loan to construct the standard gauge, it would be easier to commence rehabilitation of the narrow-gauge lines.

The President had earlier given approval for the construction of the standard gauge, the seaport in Bonny and Portharcourt industrial park.

Amaechi said: “If we start pursuing the money to construct Portharcourt-Maiduguri now in case of loan, we may not get the loan easily.

“So why not give us permission to do two things at the same time. While looking for the money for the standard gauge, allow us to rehabilitate the narrow gauge.

“The president is a bit more determined that we construct a standard gauge, but if we continue to wait, we may not get the funds to construct the standard gauge now.

“In the ministry we thought, why not rehabilitate the narrow gauge, rebuild the stations, extend to Damaturu in Yobe and extend to Bonny in Rivers so we can bear it pending when we get the money for the standard gauge,” he said.

On the Ibadan to Kano railway project, Amaechi reiterated that the contract had been awarded and the ministry was awaiting the funds from the Ministry of finance to commence construction.

He added that the ministry was also compelling the contractors to finish the project which was to last six years in three years to enable president Buhari commission the project before leaving office in 2023.

Speaking on the passenger surge on the Abuja-Kaduna railway route, the minister said more coaches had arrived the country to ease the surge.

“The coaches are in the country, but they’re having transportation problem.

“I requested for approval for CCECC to transport them to Kaduna, I hope they won’t argue about the transportation of those coaches to Abuja.

“Ten Coaches are expected on the Abuja-Kaduna rail line, comprising of two locomotives (diesel motorcars unit) and eight coaches, while the other ten will be used for the Lagos-Ibadan railway,” Amaechi said.

The minister said that work was moving rapidly on the Lagos-Ibadan railway project, adding that in the next three to four weeks, the first contract should be completed.

Recall that on Nov. 22, 2019, Amaechi told newsmen that the Federal Government has started negotiations for the commencement of the construction of the Port Harcourt to Maiduguri rail line.

The rail line, according to Amaechi, will go through several states including Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Benue, Nasarawa, Rivers, Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe and Yobe.