The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and the South-West Development Commission (SWDC) have begun discussions on a joint plan to revive abandoned and unserviced railway routes across the South-West.
A statement, yesterday, by the Chief Public Relations Officer of the NRC, Callistus Unyimadu, said the move would boost regional connectivity and stimulate economic growth.
The statement hinted that both parties reached the agreement on Tuesday when the Managing Director of the NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, received the management team of the SWDC led by its Managing Director, Charles Diji Akinola, in his office in Lagos.
Opeifa had expressed that the NRC was willing and prepared to work closely with the Commission to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that would allow the region to reactivate dormant rail lines for economic use.
He noted that the Corporation was “open for business” and ready to support sub-national governments and development agencies in maximising the nation’s rail infrastructure.
Besides, Opeifa assured the delegation that the NRC would cooperate fully with the Commission in line with the Federal Government’s mandate to expand railway services nationwide.
He noted that the South-West initiative aligned with similar proposals from the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) and the Niger State government, all seeking to revive inactive rail lines for economic use.
Opeifa added that with railway matters now moved from the Exclusive to the Concurrent legislative list, state governments and development agencies should be free to participate actively in the sector.
Akinola, who spoke earlier, said the Commission’s immediate plan was to revive old rail corridors that once served as major economic arteries within the region.
He, however, said that the SWDC intended to operate the lines on a profit-sharing model in partnership with the NRC. Akinola listed the Osogbo–Dagbolu–Erunmu line and the dormant Idogo route as priority corridors, describing them as critical to the movement of food produce and goods within and outside the region.
He further said that the SWDC would, in the medium term, seek operational and track access licences for new rail lines, noting that the Commission was in talks with investors who had expressed interest in operating regional railway services.
Meanwhile, after the meeting, officials of both organisations toured the ongoing renovation works at the Iddo Terminal and later inspected facilities at the Mobolaji Johnson Station, Ebute Metta.
