Experts urge FG to invest in rail transport system

Experts in railway engineering have urged the Federal Government to invest in alternative modes of transportation, especially rail.

They lamented the skyrocketing airfares and bad roads, saying the rail system was the best for safe and swift movement.

The experts spoke at a programme themed: ‘The Science and Technology Popularisation of Urban Rail Transit,’ organised by China Railway Siyuan Survey and Design Group in partnership with the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Lagos, (UNILAG).

Dean of Faculty of Engineering, UNILAG, Professor Samson Adeosun, said the rail transport system was comfortable, noting that it was also healthy.

Adeosun said: “In terms of safety, you can predict that it is almost 100 per cent safe in moving people from one point to the other. The rail system is the best and safe thing that we can tap into now. It used to be in the past, when one could move from Lagos to Kano seamlessly.

“Through rail, you will be able to see the geographical environment of the nation in comfort. The speeds are controlled, unlike what happens when you look at the road transportation system. I have benefitted from the rail system currently operated by the Chinese in Nigeria. I would like the Chinese government to extend it to all the South-West states. There are a lot of commuters within that axis.”

Speaking on the benefits of rail, LRMT Engineer, Wang Youxuan, said urban rail transit was the main line of public transportation and one of the solutions to air pollution.

“The construction and development of urban rail transit are conducive to improving the efficiency of citizens travel, saving time, and improving the quality of life. Internationally renowned metropolises, due to the highly developed and convenient rail transit industry, rarely use private vehicles for transportation and mainly rely on rail transit such as subways and light rails. As a result, the urban traffic is orderly, making it convenient and time-saving for citizens to travel.”

The event’s facilitator, Deputy Director of Confucius Institute at UNILAG, Dr Adetoro Banwo, in his remarks, noted that it was important to bring the town and the gown together to empower the students and bring skills right to the doorstep of the UNILAG by the China Railway Corporation that just completed the blue line in Lagos.

“So, it aims to foster innovative skills and techniques among engineering students, to empower them, equip them and to widen the horizon on how the light rail has been constructed successfully. The number of students present from the department of civil engineering and mechanical engineering shows that they are highly interested in learning the mechanism, the function and constructive methods by which this project was carried out by the Chinese government.”

On his part, Project Manager, Nigeria Project Department, Ma Yanxiang noted that urban rail transit is not only a means of transportation, but also the main framework of urban development, a bridge connecting the past and the future, and communicating between people.

“Today, we are holding an urban rail transit science popularisation activity here, aiming to stimulate students’ interest and enthusiasm in rail transit through education and popular science, and cultivate their love for engineering and technology.

“We chose to hold this activity at the University of Lagos because we believe that the university is not only a temple of knowledge but also a base for cultivating future leaders and social builders. UNILAG is a prestigious university of higher education in Nigeria and even in Africa, famous for its outstanding academic achievements and positive contributions to social development. This place brings together many talented scholars and young talents with great potential.”