Port Harcourt – Aba Railway Project Completed; Train Services Set to Commence Soon, Confirms NRC

In a significant stride towards enhancing Nigeria’s rail infrastructure, the Federal Government has successfully rehabilitated the 63-kilometre Port Harcourt – Aba railway project. The completion of this segment marks a crucial milestone in the broader Port Harcourt-Maiduguri railroad initiative championed by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

Mr. Fidet Okhiria, Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), shared this development during an inspection of the project. He announced that train services are scheduled to commence in the coming months, pending the finalization of finishing touches on the tracks.

Okhiria explained, “The project from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri is not yet completed. They (contractors) are working in phases, and they have laid tracks up to Aba. We are so anxious to commence operation, therefore, the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, directed us to come and inspect the project so that we can plan ahead of the operations.”

While the main tracks have reached Aba in Abia, the focus now is on installing loop and side lines to ensure the seamless initiation of rail services. Okhiria stressed the urgency, stating, “As we speak, you can put a locomotive on the track to Aba, but that will not be good enough for commercial purposes, hence, we are working hard to resume operations.”

Concerns about potential vandalism were addressed by Okhiria, who emphasized the need to safeguard the rail tracks for the benefit of the public. He stated, “We are looking to start operations within months, and we have drawn a timeline. If we don’t start running on the track, it will go bad, and vandals will take possession.”

Highlighting plans for the existing rolling stock, Okhiria revealed, “Two wagons were awarded consisting of both narrow and standard gauge, but we will not wait for them to arrive, we are starting something soon. We plan to start something very soon so that people cannot differentiate between the old functioning ones and the new ones.”

Assuring the public of the government’s commitment, Okhiria stated that the laying of the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail tracks is projected to be completed within three years. The NRC aims to enhance the rail network, providing a reliable and efficient means of transportation for the benefit of the Nigerian people.