Railway quality assurance: FG insists on durability, three-year capacity building before handover

From Idu Jude, Abuja

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Transportation, has directed contractors handling railway projects across the country to ensure quality, durable, sustainable maintenance and comprehensive local capacity building of young Nigerian engineers before handing over rail and terminal infrastructure to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

The permanent secretary to the ministry, Engr Funso Adebiyi, gave the directive over the weekend during a joint fact-finding inspection of the ongoing construction of the Kano Railway Station, alongside key ministry officials, agency leadership and senior aides.

The permanent secretary, however, rejected short-life consumables, mandating a minimum three-year lifespan for bulbs and light fittings, with customised lamp holders and mobile motorised equipment to facilitate easy local replacement.

He also directed contractors to provide mechanised cleaning equipment for the regular maintenance of terminal glass structures, taking into account thermal expansion and contraction, while cautioning against excessive reliance on diesel generators and costly, unsustainable energy solutions.

To eliminate technical dependence on foreign contractors, Engr Adebiyi directed the NRC managing director, Dr Kayode Opeifa, who was represented by the Director, Corporate Planning, Dr James Zang, to assemble a team of young, qualified engineers for an intensive, month-long, hands-on training programme covering facility operations, replacement of consumables and maintenance procedures.

He emphasised that the training must be locally delivered, rigorous and examination-based, warning that staff who fail the computer-based assessment would face consequences in line with applicable civil service regulations.

According to the permanent secretary, the selected team will prioritise engineers aged 35 and below, with at least 20 years remaining in service, to promote continuity, accountability and career progression.

Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure development, Adebiyi added: “Projects must deliver value for taxpayers’ money, effective technology transfer and seamless handover to competent Nigerian professionals capable of safeguarding and maintaining national assets.”