Herders To Transport Cattle Via Railways Soon — NRC

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced plans to facilitate the transportation of cattle from Northern Nigeria to the South using rail services. Fidet Okhiria, Managing Director of NRC, disclosed this development during an interview with Channels Television on Wednesday.

Okhiria revealed that the Warri-Itakpe rail route would be the first to resume livestock transport services, marking a return after the NRC suspended cattle movement by train in 2017 due to technical issues. He stated that herders could begin utilizing these services within the next one to two months.

“We have modernized our operations to ensure the seamless movement of goods. When cattle come by road from the North, they can now continue their journey by rail to South-South Warri,” Okhiria said.

The NRC has introduced 15 new wagons specifically designed for livestock, currently being assembled in the Kajola area of Oyo State. These wagons are expected to be operational on the Itakpe-Warri route soon, enhancing the transportation sector and boosting the economy.

Okhiria emphasized that railway investment should prioritize social and economic benefits over direct financial profit. “The goal is not immediate profit in naira and kobo, but to create an efficient transport system that links cities and moves goods effectively, indirectly benefiting the economy,” he explained.

He concluded that such investments are aimed at improving public welfare and fostering a robust, vibrant economy by making transportation more efficient and accessible for the masses.