Lagos-Kano narrow gauge route ready for cargo train operations- Official

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced that its south-west section is ready to commence cargo train movement on the narrow gauge route between Lagos and Kano states.

Managing Director NRC, Kayode Opeifa, spoke on Tuesday at the Dugbe Ibadan narrow gauge train station in Oyo state, following an inspection of Moniya freight park.

He said the management is committed to resuming cargo operations between Lagos and Kano, noting that he would be present in Ibadan to inaugurate the Dugbe section once the service commences.

Speaking after the inspection, Opeifa said the assessment evaluated the corporation’s preparedness for freight operations.

“The essence of this tour is to enable us to assess our readiness to handle the cargo side of our business as a business and logistics facilitator,” he said.

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“We are happy with the extent of what we have seen, and we can comfortably say we are ready to move any manner of cargo for any of our customers.”

At the Dugbe station, Opeifa urged railway workers to intensify efforts to boost the corporation’s internally generated revenue (IGR), promising that improved revenue would lead to better staff allowances.

Addressing pensioners’ welfare, Opeifa pledged that the corporation would remain committed to enhancing their well-being.

“I do not need to be told, I can feel so many things, and I can only assure you that the management will continue to work at improving your living conditions,” he said.

Also, during a visit to Omi Adio, the MD directed the acquisition of additional land around the proposed dry port site to provide for anticipated business for the dry port.

He also visited the Obafemi Awolowo train station, Moniya, and Moniya cargo park to assess the port’s preparedness for handling cargo operations.

OPEIFA DIRECTS SECURITY OPERATIVES TO ARREST VANDALS

Regarding vandalism affecting the corporation’s services, he stressed that there were no scrap materials within the NRC.

“All we have are rail materials. All our materials are in serviceable conditions. From here, we are moving cement from Ewekoro to Osogbo and to Ilorin,” Opeifa said.

“All these wagons you see, all these rail sleepers, all these irons are still working and all security operatives have been directed to arrest and prosecute anyone caught vandalising our property.

“No one is permitted to carry our materials. No letter of approval is sufficient to allow anyone to do so, security operatives should put a call across to us to enable us authenticate such activity.”

At the Ladoke Akintola train station in Omi Adio, Seye Oyeleye, director-general of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN), expressed readiness to collaborate with the NRC to reactivate narrow gauge rail services within the southwest region for mass transportation.