The process of bringing historical narrow gauge networks back is now the focus of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC). The Eastern line is presently almost finished, and procedures should soon resume.
The Eastern line connects Port Harcourt and Maiduguri and is seen as an essential route by the federal government. The resolution to revive train transport was publicized in a statement released in Lagos on Tuesday by the Director of Mechanical Services and Signal Communication at NRC (Jerry Oche).
Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari emphasized that the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri railway would trigger a renewal of economic activity along the Eastern corridor before he left office. Oche claims that in anticipation of the vital path’s return to operations, the NRC has started the repair of coaches and locomotives.
According to Oche, he had acted quickly to guarantee that the cars would be ready for rail services between Aba Port-Harcourt in less than a week. He stated that to allow train users from the eastern region of the nation to begin using rail services, the NRC has given an urgent order to start repairs.
Some of the Enugu trucks would be moved to Aba to help manage the expected overflow of passengers and freight that is usually encountered along the route. In addition, NRC Civil Engineers are building the Jos channel in anticipation of the arrival of the Jos intra-city mass transit train.
The NRC’s Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Malam Mahmood Yakub, also disclosed that the Lagos-Kano Express passenger train now has numerous restored cars in service again. At the Zaria Carriage and Wagons plant, the coaches are now being readied for the commencement of the train service, one of the NRC-stopped services.
Additionally, Kaduna intra-city mass transit train introduction is planned. According to Yakubu, the head of the NRC, the Lagos-Kano Express Train Service would start up again in the first quarter of 2024. The NRC is working nonstop to rebuild the historic narrow gauge railroads.
