FG begins reconstruction of Eastern Railway Corridor

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced that the Federal Government has commenced the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Eastern Railway Corridor, a critical section of the country’s transport infrastructure.

Mr. Victor Adamu, Railway District Manager for the Eastern District, Enugu, confirmed the development during a national survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on abandoned railway lines across the country. He made the disclosure on Wednesday in Enugu.

According to Adamu, work has already begun on the narrow-gauge railway line from Port Harcourt to Aba in Abia State. He noted that the Eastern District line stretches from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, covering major areas in Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Rivers, and parts of Benue State.

“This district covers Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Rivers, and part of Egbede in Benue State, which serves as our boundary with the North Central district, spanning about 110 kilometers,” Adamu explained.

He revealed that a section of the rehabilitation contract was officially handed over to the NRC on November 28, 2024. As part of ongoing services, he added, the corporation currently operates passenger train services from Port Harcourt to Aba five days a week.

However, Adamu acknowledged that there has been a suspension of work along the stretch from Aba through Umuahia to Enugu. He assured that the Federal Government is making every effort to ensure the resumption of construction activities on the remaining segment as soon as possible.

The district manager credited the renewed efforts to President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” under which the long-awaited project has regained momentum.

“This is a project from which the Southeast and other parts of the country will benefit greatly. The Federal Government is doing a lot to ensure that the rail lines become operational again,” he said.

Adamu also disclosed that the Managing Director of NRC, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, visited Enugu in April and held fruitful discussions with the governors of Abia and Enugu states. He expressed optimism that the engagement would lead to further progress on the corridor’s rehabilitation.