By Fidelis Ugbomeh
Plans to enhance partnership with states in the extension of rail service to the hinterland got a major boost as Ogun State government intends to leverage on the Standard gauge railway network to offer freight service.
This formed part of the outcome of a meeting between management of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), and Ogun State government, represented by Commissioner of Transportation Engr Gbenga Dairo, who led top management team from the ministry, on a courtesy visit to the NRC managing director Dr. Kayode Opeifa, at the NRC Headquarters, Ebute Metta, Lagos.
The Commissioner in his rematks highlighted Ogun state’s ambitious rail development plan, emphasizing the state’s commitment to integrating rail transportation as a core component of its infrastructural strategy under the ISEYA development framework.
He underscored the willingness and readiness of the state to align its transportation goals with the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Plan of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with the NRC playing a key role in driving the vision.
“A significant aspect of the plan revolved around Ogun state’s long-term objective of leveraging on standard gauge rail to enhance movement of goods,” Dairo said.
The Commissioner stressed that the state government envisioned a rail system that will facilitate seamless cargo shipments from Ogun to various parts of the country, boosting commerce, trade, industrialization, and fostering greater economic integration.
Earlier, director of transport policy and coordination, Engr. Tosin Akinleye, presented the “Ogun State Transport Initiatives Activities”, aimed at maximizing integrated transport initiatives across the state.
He said the state has developed a master plan to take the Blue Line from Okokomaiko to Agbara, Lusada industrial axis, while the Red Line, would be taken from Agbado to Ijoko and to Kajola, where the government is already constructing Inland Dry Port (IDP).
Akinleye also disclosed that plans are in place to take the proposed Purple train that would land at the Redeemed Camp from Ojo, to the Remo Aerotropolis.
Managing director, NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa in his remarks commended Ogun state ministry of transportation for its foresight and strategic alignment with the Federal government’s infrastructural development agenda.
He however enjoined the state to key into NRC’s “Rail in the State” initiative, an ongoing programme in which the corporation seeks to support state governments in developing capacity to develop and manage viable rail transportation networks.
According to him, the initiative is gaining momentum with Plateau state, set to launch its rail integration in the coming days, while Bauchi and Borno States are also in advanced discussions on their rail projects
The NRC boss, urged Ogun state government to explore and optimize the existing narrow gauge corridor within its territory in addition to its extensive plan to further connect all the rail initiatives coming from the Lagos state government, such as the Blue and Red Lines further into various parts of the state for more connectivity and to lay a solid foundation for a fully standardized and robust rail network.
He assured of the Nigerian Railway Corporation’s commitment to providing full technical and operational support to the government in positioning Ogun state as a model for rail-driven economic transformation.
“We can assure you that whatever you need we can give you at no cost because it is in the national interest that all states which has train network commence commercial operation just as Lagos State is doing
“By working closely with the Ogun state government, the NRC aims to create an efficient and sustainable rail system that will ease transportation, boost economic activities, and improve the overall quality of life for her people,” Opeifa said.