The Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, who disclosed recently in Abuja at the 2014 Ministerial press briefing on the programmes and projects of the ministry and its agencies said the rail project commenced in February 2011 with the laying of about 155km tracks out of the 187.5km rail track distance.
Sen. Umar also disclosed that construction and rehabilitation of the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri standard gauge rail line is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2015.
He stated that arrangements have been concluded for the purchase of two more locomotives in the first quarter of 2015 to be added to the 25 HP locomotive acquired from General Electric for narrow gauge rail lines.
Umar expressed optimism that his ministry is living up to expectation in developing an adequate, safe, environmentally sound, efficient and affordable, integrated transport system.
He added that the rail system has been in comatose for over two decades up till 2009 when the implementation of a 25-year Strategic Vision was implemented to revive the sector.
Umar said, “The rehabilitation work in Eastern line Port Harcourt- Maiduguri (1,657) is progressing steadily with the Port Harcourt-Gombe segment, including the branch line from Kafanchan-Kaduna expected to be completed December, 2014.
“Rehabilitation of sidings and loop lines along the Western line, including connection to key industrial locations within Apapa, 74 stations and branch lines between Lagos and Kano, the 300meter link between the Apapa Port Complex and the national line and the spur line to the Kaduna power plant complex have commenced and would be completed by the end of 2014,” he noted.
He said on completion, the rail projects would surely reposition the nation’s economy for the overall benefit of the citizens.
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