Follow Us on Google
By Fidelis Ugbomeh
Determined to link rail mode to hinterland, the Federal government has agreed to support all interested state governments through loans for development of intra-city rail networks by connecting from the national rail corridor in their states.
The National Assembly had in the reviewed budget passed and assented to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu allocated N400bn in the 2025 national budget for light rail projects in Lagos, Ogun, Kaduna and Kano.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by managing director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, Mrs Abimbola Akinajo to headquarters of Nigerian Railway Corporation in Lagos recently, managing director of the corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa said that four other states including: Plateau, Niger, Bauchi and Ogun have reached various stages of discussions with a view to operate their own railway lines as obtains in Lagos.
He lauded the Lagos State government which through LAMATA has been operating two colour-coded metro trains (Red and Blue Lines) based on the licenses issued by the Corporation.
According to him, LAMATA is proving to the world that nothing is impossible as it has been operating the Blue Line which runs exclusively on electricity for two years non-stop
Opeifa promised to continue to give Lagos state and other federating states expeditious approvals as this remains the only way to ensure that they would be able to take train services to the hinterlands for the benefit of Nigerians.
He looked forward to a time when all states of the federation will be able to run intra-city passenger train services round the clock in their respective states with supervision of NRC so as to enable the corporation concentrate on freight movements.
“In the next five years a lot of things will change in this country and soon, Nigerians will be able to even enjoy new generation rail system in this country
“In our generation, we shall be able to operate all modes of modern rail systems comparable to anywhere in the world,” Opeifa added.
He said as facilitator of trade and business the corporation will continue to give priority to areas that would lessen the burden of transportation on the people, reduce poverty, and bring down the rising inflation.
In her own remarks, managing director of LAMATA, Mrs. Abigail Akinajo said her team had considered it needful to pay the new NRC managing director a visit, because of the cordial relationship between the corporation and LAMATA.
“We are happy about your appointment and we are looking forward to more fruitful working relationship with the NRC. We are happy that both the NRC and LAMATA are driven by the passion to make rail transportation available to Nigerians,” Akinajo said
She stated further that Lagos state has continued to make judicious use of the licences given to the state for both the Red and Blue Line and the access granted for the Red Line to use the national corridor.
“We decided to pay you a visit and to warmly welcome you back into the transportation family, knowing that under you the Nigerian Railway Corporation would continue to play a major role in Lagos State’s transportation initiatives especially relating to the rail development,” Akinajo said.
