FG hands over completed Port Harcourt-Aba railway section to NRC

The Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMOT) has officially handed over the Port Harcourt-Aba section of the Eastern Narrow-Gauge Railway Project to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) after taking possession of the completed assets from the contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Nig. Limited.

The contractor, on Thursday, at a brief ceremony in Port Harcourt, handed over the assets, which include 283.060 km of dismantled tracks, 62.800 km of rehabilitated and reconstructed subgrade, and 62.800 km of rail laid for the main line.

The handed-over assets by the contractor also include the rehabilitation and reconstruction of 27 sets of turnouts at various stations, the rehabilitation of four existing steel bridges, and the reconstruction of one concrete bridge.

Additionally, 10 existing culverts were rehabilitated, 12 new culverts were reconstructed, and 35 level crossings were reconstructed. The contractor also constructed 33,275 meters of drainage.

The contractor submitted the technical specifications and maintenance manual of the Port Harcourt-Aba section of the project to the consultant, Khairi-Jamub Global Services, and the client, Federal Ministry of Transportation.

The Port Harcourt-Aba rail project is part of the larger Eastern Narrow-Gauge Railway Project, which aims to connect five geopolitical zones in the country.

The project is expected to improve socio-economic activities, boost trade, and facilitate ease of movement among the regions involved.

However, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) officially took over the Port Harcourt-Aba section of the Eastern Narrow-Gauge Railway Project.

The handing-over ceremony was attended by Ogunade Adesegun, Deputy Director Track and Civil from the Nigerian Railway Corporation, who represented the Managing Director of NRC, Ben Iloanusi.

According to Adesegun, the NRC is now responsible for the operation and maintenance of the rail section, which spans Kilometers 0-62.

He noted that the commercial aspect of the train has been running smoothly, providing easier, faster, and cheaper transportation for passengers and goods.

“This development is a testament to the government’s efforts to provide efficient transportation systems, and the dividends of these efforts are now materializing,” he said.

Speaking after the handing-over ceremony, Ayo Dada, a supervisor from the Federal Ministry of Transportation, said the development marked a significant milestone in the project’s completion.

READ ALSO: NRC begins operation at Aremo Olusegun Osoba Station

He explained that the delay in handing over the project was due to the necessary diligence and processes that needed to be followed.

He stressed that this is just one segment of the larger project, which will be completed in phases.

He said: “The completion of this project is expected to boost the economy of both cities and states, bringing development and growth to the region. The railway will also provide a safer and more efficient means of transportation, reducing the risk of accidents and congestion on the roads.”

In terms of security, Engr. Adesegun assured that the NRC is taking necessary measures to ensure the safety of passengers and goods.

He noted that the Corporation has deployed vigilante groups to safeguard the tracks and property of the NRC, adding that the Ministry and Presidency have also put in place their own security measures to protect the rail infrastructure.

The Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail project is a significant investment in Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure, with a total cost of $3.03 billion. The project aims to connect the southeastern oil center of Port Harcourt to Maiduguri in the northeastern state of Borno, covering a distance of 1,443 kilometers.