The long-awaited Port-Harcourt-Aba railway project, delayed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), has finally been completed and handed over to the NRC.

The Port Harcourt-Aba section is part of a bigger railway project called the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Eastern Narrow Gauge, which started when President Muhammadu Buhari was in charge.

Mr. Ayo Dada Hands Over the Completed $3.02 Billion Port Harcourt-Aba Railway Project

On Thursday, the Federal Ministry of Transportation’s project supervisor, Mr. Ayo Dada, handed over the completed $3.02 billion Port-Harcourt-Aba railway project to the NRC at an event in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.

According to Mr. Dada, the completion of the Port-Harcourt-Aba railway project has greatly improved passenger movements between Rivers and Abia state.

This easy movement has also increased the states’ economies. Aside form mentioning the benefits the completion of the project has as given the passengers, he went ahead to list the assets involved in the project.

“The government handed over 283 kilometers of removed tracks and 63 kilometers of repaired rail lines. And nearly 6 kilometers of side tracks and 27 rebuilt turnouts at key stations like Port-Harcourt, Elelenwo, Obuzor, Umugo, and Aba,” Mr. Dada said.

“He also added that workers repaired 10 old culverts, built 12 new ones, and rebuilt 35 level crossings.

They also constructed 33,275 meters of drainage. The contractor gave the technical details and maintenance guide for the Port Harcourt-Aba section to the consultant,  Khairi-Jamub Global Services, and the Federal Ministry of Transportation.”

Mr. Ben Illoanusi Speaks on the Port Harcourt-Aba Railway Project

Still in the handover meeting, the Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation, Ben Iloanusi, represented by Mr. Ogunade Adesegun, also confirmed that the Nigerian Railway Corporation is handling the Port-Harcourt-Aba railway project.

Mr. Adesegun, the Deputy Director Track and Civil from Nigeria Railway Cooperation, went ahead to mention that he observed that the train’s commercial operations have been running well, offering passengers and goods a faster, easier, and more affordable way to travel.

“This progress shows the government’s commitment to building effective transportation systems, and the benefits of these efforts are now becoming evident,” he added.

In regards to security, the Managing Director of  NRC assured that steps are being taken to keep passengers and goods safe. He also said that NRC had hired vigilante groups to protect the tracks and NRC property.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Transport and the Presidency have also added more security measures to guard the rail system.

The Project Manager Representing the Khairi-Jamub Limited

The project manager, Olufemi Aransiola, who works for the consultant Khairi-Jamub Limited, explained that the project involved fixing the old railway tracks from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri.

He said the Port Harcourt-Aba section has been running for about five months and has passed all the checks to prove it is safe and strong.

Furthermore, Aransiola also shared that the total cost of the project, including sidings, stations, and other parts, is $3.02 billion.

What Are the Challenges of the Nigerian Railway Corporation?

Even though the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has made great progress, like completing the Port Harcourt-Aba railway, it still faces many challenges. Here are some of the major ones:

• Old and Weak Rail Tracks

Some of the railway system’s tracks are very old, making it difficult for trains to move safely and quickly.

• Security Issues

Keeping the tracks, trains, and passengers safe is a big problem. There have been cases of vandalism and theft. To solve this, the NRC has hired vigilantes and added more security, but they still have to keep working on it.

• Lack of Modern Equipment

Some of the trains and tools used by the NRC are outdated. New and modern trains are faster, safer, and use less fuel, but they cost a lot to buy.

• Low Public Awareness

Not everyone knows about the benefits of using trains. Many people still prefer buses or cars because they don’t understand that trains can be cheaper and faster for some trips.