The Nation Newspaper

Category: Transportation

Waterways not developed, says NIWA

Despite its huge potential, sea transport remains the least developed mode of transportation, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Managing Director Hajiya Inna Maryam Ciroma has said.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony of SeaCoach Ferries Ltd., at Ebute-Iga in Ikorodu, in Lagos State, Hajiya Ciroma said NIWA in spite of the challenges, would continue to make the Inland Waterways transportation (IWT) attractive to local and international investors.

If fully utilised, over six million passengers can use water transportation monthly, she said.

Describing the nation’s waterways as a goldmine, Hajiya Ciroma said NIWA has found an investor to help deepen the sector, adding that roughly 60 percent of the nation’s 8,600 km of waterways remained unused.

She said water hyacinth is a major challenge facing operators and called on the investor to help in ridding the waterways of the menace. NIWA, she said, has been deploying its machines in fighting the menace off the waterways, adding that the actions are, however, proving inadequate.

The NIWA Chief represented by NIWA’s Head of Monitoring and Compliance, Mr Muazu Jaji, hailed the quality of boats being deployed by Sea Coach Ferries, adding that with the coming of operator, passengers are in for a good travel experience.

She said: “When this operator approached NIWA for a licence to operate on our waters, it was not too difficult to see that this operator knows what he is into and it is a credence to the quality of his proposal that his licence to operate from Ikorodu to CMS was approved within three days.”

She said the operator, who was coming from Sierra-Leone have deployed nine boats for take-off while another five would arrive by June, as six more would be added to the fleet by December to make a total of 20 modern coaches on the state’s waters.

NIWA, she said, had no problem approving the Ikorodu to CMS and Victoria Island routes for the operator, adding that the Ikorodu to Leventis/Ebute-Ero route would soon begin. She added that the agency allowed the operator to use two of its jetties for its operations.

Hajiya Ciroma said water transportation is a better option for the people of Ikorodu to beating the heavy Lagos traffic which could make passengers spend more than five hours on the road between Ikorodu and CMS. The same distance could be covered in 35 minutes by the ferry, she said.

She lauded the operator’s plan to commence soon, the local building of boats in the state, adding that when this comes on stream, it would create jobs for Nigerians.

“We want to assure the Seacoach of NIWA’s cooperation in ensuring that this investment becomes a win-win for all its stakeholders,” Hajiya Ciroma said.

The Managing Director of Seacoach Ferries Mr Olusegun Jaji said the company is coming into the country as a major player having been a leading player in Sierra-Leone, where it has operated for the past six years.

He said in the next two years, the company intends to deploy over 40 modern sea coaches to cover not only Ikorodu to CMS and Ikorodu to Victoria Island, but to expand to as many areas as possible.

Jaji said: “Part of our medium term plan is to inject about 50 boats over the next two years; we are starting with nine and would increase our fleet to 20 by December and another 20 by the following year.

‘’We are bringing coaches with comfortable seats and adequate leg room and television. Each boat comes with twin 2500cc engine in line with global practices and the guarantee is that even if one of the engine packed up, the second can take you safely to your destination. This is complemented with big panoramic windows that ensure a good view of the lagoon.”

Jaji said each voyage is accompanied by three crew led by the captain and two sea men. While one seaman stands in front to have a good view of any floating object and guide the captain against it, the other stands at the rear to monitor the engines.

He said though water transportation is capital intensive, the company has what it takes to extend its services nationwide.

“We intend to operate water transportation services across the country. We can service any route because the terrain in Nigeria is calmer than Sierra-Leone where we had to contend with navigating the ocean,” Jaji said.

The Lead Consultant IHB Consulting, Chief Qudus Folami, described Seacoach Ferries as an ambitious project.

Folami, who was the lead consultant to NIWA on the project, said the company is bringing to Nigeria global competencies that would help deepen waterways transportation.

Speaking on behalf of the traditional chiefs, the Regent of Ikorodu and Lissa of Ikorodu Kingdom, Chief Zacheaus Oludele Odusoga, praised the operators for bringing the project to the area. He, however, called on the firm to consider youths of the area in their job drive.

Guests had a feel of the ferry on a return trip on the Ikorodu to CMS route, describing their experience as awesome.

March 17, 2015
Why accidents are many during rains, by FRSC

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has advised motorists to ensure their vehicles are in order during the rainy season. Reason: poor vehicle maintenance is responsible for the rise in breakdown and accidents during the season.

At an enlightenment campaign organised by the Mowe Unit Command in conjunction with the Trinity International College, for motorists and commercial motorcyclists in Ofada, in Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, the Commander, Oludare Ogunjobi, said motorists should pay more attention to their vehicles during the rainy season.

Ogunjobi, represented by the Head of Operations, Mr Azeez Omotosho, said over 70 percent of accidents are caused by speed limit violation and poor maintenance of vehicles.

He listed some of the faults noticeable especially during this period to include; brake failure, loss of control due to poor visibility, tyre burst, somersaulting and dangerous overtaking.

He reiterated FRSC’s commitment to safer road use during the wet period and after, warning that motorists should comply with all traffic regulations and maintain their vehicles.

According to him, it is a must for motorists to fix their vehicles’ wiper blades, head and tail lights, brakes, horns and to avoid the use of worn-out tyres.

The commander expressed concern over poor driving habits, lamenting especially motorists’ attitude towards tyre care and general vehicle maintenance.

Most drivers, he said, have poor maintenance culture and are less concerned about the state of their tyres forgetting that their care should not be compromised because they are the part of the vehicle that have direct contact with the road.

The FRSC boss urged individuals, corporate organisations and fleet owners, especially cement factories operating within Ogun State to ensure regular maintenance of their vehicles and monitor their drivers.

Cement truck drivers, Ogunjobi said, contribute to the high rate of accidents because of their reckless driving, nonchalant attitude, overloading, breach of traffic regulations, and drink driving.

Ogunjobi urged cyclists to avoid over speeding, over loading or wrong overtaking, adding that they should always make use of their safety helmets and sun glasses which are part of their safety devices.

He advised tipper drivers to always ensure that their sands and gravels are properly covered to avoid harming other motorists behind them. “Uncover your goods when you are stationary but cover it up when you are on the road.”

He said many motorists including okada riders have been blinded by sand flying out of unprotected trucks, while stones from such unprotected trucks have shattered wind screens.

The school’s Director of Education, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aderinoye, said the programme was organised because of the reckless and nonchalant attitude of most drivers and cyclists within the community, which resulted in the death of several road users.

She appealed to motorcyclists to stop reckless driving because it is dangerous. She urged transport union leaders to enlighten their members and increase their monitoring and enforcement.

Mrs Aderinoye urged motorists to take precautions while driving in order to ensure their safety.

The AMORAN, ACCOMORAN and Ajowa Tippers Association union leaders’ pledged their support for the FRSC’s efforts in checking road lawlessness.

They, however, called on the state government to rehabilitate the community’s road.

The drivers were tested for high blood pressure and sugar level.

March 17, 2015
Top NRC officials to monitor train service

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has deployed its top management staff to monitor intercity train services, following passengers’ complaints.

The exercise meant to improve its services began last month, following this newspaper’s exclusive details of its poor service especially on its Lagos to Kano route.

The corporation’s spokesman Mr Abdulraouf Akinwoye who disclosed this, said the move is to check the excesses of NRC’s officials and stop the delays on long distance shuttles.

Akinwoye said the corporation will continue to give its best to passengers based on available resources.

He said: “At our yearly review we decided that it is time we move out and frontally confront all those issues that our customers have usually complained about especially those on long distance trains.

“Beginning from last month, all directors, deputy directors and assistant directors have been mandated to be following our intercity shuttles and at least two officers must go on such trains and they are not only to note the bottlenecks along the way, but to resolve them without further delays.”

The monitoring, Akinwoye said, started on the Western Line which runs from Lagos to Kano, adding that the exercise will soon begin on the Eastern Line (Enugu to Gombe), which started operation in January.

He said the Managing Director, Adeseyi Sijuwade, is not leaving any stone unturned in ensuring that passengers enjoy the services of the corporation.

“We are determined to improve our efficiency and to give the best to the masses that are our major targets,” he said.

Akinwoye added: “Our top officials being on the train, is admittance that things are not right with our services especially on our intercity shuttles. It therefore will help us check many things that our customers complain about and protect them from further embarrassment.”

He said a lot has changed between last year and now, adding that passengers would no longer experience those challenges hitherto facing the corporation.

Akinwoye, charged the passengers to do more to protect the corporation’s properties because they are costly.

According to him, it is sad that toilets, bathrooms, seats, hand rests, and our overhead orbit fans are being vandalised by passengers. He said anyone seeing these would blame the NRC without any blame put on its passengers.

“Our passengers should take the railway properties as theirs because it is our commonwealth that was used in procuring them. People should stop hanging on the train and the roof riders should desist as this is causing more damage to the coaches,” he said.

On workers’ welfare, the NRC spokesman said the management and the two labour unions, have agreed on a package which has been sent to the board.

Akinwoye said the NRC management will continue to motivate its workers to give their best to the industry.

March 10, 2015
Top NRC officials to monitor train service

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has deployed its top management staff to monitor intercity train services, following passengers’ complaints.

The exercise meant to improve its services began last month, following this newspaper’s exclusive details of its poor service especially on its Lagos to Kano route.

The corporation’s spokesman Mr Abdulraouf Akinwoye who disclosed this, said the move is to check the excesses of NRC’s officials and stop the delays on long distance shuttles.

Akinwoye said the corporation will continue to give its best to passengers based on available resources.

He said: “At our yearly review we decided that it is time we move out and frontally confront all those issues that our customers have usually complained about especially those on long distance trains.

“Beginning from last month, all directors, deputy directors and assistant directors have been mandated to be following our intercity shuttles and at least two officers must go on such trains and they are not only to note the bottlenecks along the way, but to resolve them without further delays.”

The monitoring, Akinwoye said, started on the Western Line which runs from Lagos to Kano, adding that the exercise will soon begin on the Eastern Line (Enugu to Gombe), which started operation in January.

He said the Managing Director, Adeseyi Sijuwade, is not leaving any stone unturned in ensuring that passengers enjoy the services of the corporation.

“We are determined to improve our efficiency and to give the best to the masses that are our major targets,” he said.

Akinwoye added: “Our top officials being on the train, is admittance that things are not right with our services especially on our intercity shuttles. It therefore will help us check many things that our customers complain about and protect them from further embarrassment.”

He said a lot has changed between last year and now, adding that passengers would no longer experience those challenges hitherto facing the corporation.

Akinwoye, charged the passengers to do more to protect the corporation’s properties because they are costly.

According to him, it is sad that toilets, bathrooms, seats, hand rests, and our overhead orbit fans are being vandalised by passengers. He said anyone seeing these would blame the NRC without any blame put on its passengers.

“Our passengers should take the railway properties as theirs because it is our commonwealth that was used in procuring them. People should stop hanging on the train and the roof riders should desist as this is causing more damage to the coaches,” he said.

On workers’ welfare, the NRC spokesman said the management and the two labour unions, have agreed on a package which has been sent to the board.

Akinwoye said the NRC management will continue to motivate its workers to give their best to the industry.

March 10, 2015
87, 853 traffic offenders held in Ogun

The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) has apprehended no fewer than 87,853 traffic offenders with various offences in 10 years, its Commander/Chief Executive Officer, Ayo Sangofadeji has said.

Taking stock of TRACE’s achievements in its first decade of existence, Sangofadeji said the offences included riding motorcycle without safety helmet, driving without safety belt, using mobile phones while driving, illegal parking and overloading.

The offenders, he said, were fined and also counselled before their vehicles or motorcycles were released to them.

Sangofadeji said TRACE started with public enlightenment and orientation of road users on how best the road can be used, and the need to comply with safety rules before embarking on enforcement.

The TRACE boss, who spoke with reporters in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, said the government is committed to a technology-driven traffic management by installing modern devices on the roads.

Some of the devices according to Sangofadeji, are Close Circuit Television (CCTV), radar gun, speed detector among others.

These, he said, were being installed to enhance compliance with safety rules and to bring erring motorists to book.

TRACE, the commander said, would not relent in retraining its officers on modern road safety management.

Sangofadeji added that TRACE will continue to champion road user-friendly education and enforce traffic regulations in the years ahead.

March 10, 2015
How to stem road crashes, by FRSC chief

HOW can the high rate of road accidents be stemmed? It is by ensuring that only tested motorists are behind the wheels, says the Lagos Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Hyginus Omeje.

During a visit to the Ikeja Unit Command of the corps, Omeje noted that many vehicles that were not supposed to be on the road are found, manned by drivers using fake licence.

He urged motorists to follow due process in obtaining the licence adding that accidents will reduce if motorists adhere strictly to the rules.

Omeje maintained that the rate of accidents involving inexperienced drivers with fake licences is becoming worrisome.

These unscrupulous motorists with little knowledge of the road obtain fake licence through touts, who charge them more than the normal fee, he said.

The commission, he said, is committed to ending incessant accidents leading to the loss of lives and properties which are caused by inexperienced drivers.

Omeje said short circuiting the process, would deny motorists the exposure to practical and theoretical tests before being given their driver’s licence.

“Some of these drivers lack adequate knowledge guiding driving on the highways, including the traffic rules and regulations,” he said.

Omeje however said there have been improved compliance to the procurement of licences at all the FRSC offices in Lagos by motorists, adding that the idea of sending proxies to procure it is abating.

“More motorists are realising that the agency means business when we said it is an offence for anyone to obtain driver’s licence by proxy because it will be fake and anyone caught driving with fake or without a driver’s licence is risking imprisonment.”

He debunked the claim that the licensing process is slow, accusing those behind such campaigns of believing in cutting corner to get things done.

Omeje said the Command produced over 5,040 driver’s licence in January, appealing to motorists to follow due process in order to obtain the original document.

He warned both Regular and Special Marshals to desist from collecting money from people to help them procure driver’s licence, saying any officer caught would be dismissed and prosecuted.

The Ikeja Unit Commander, Mr Olawale Odekunle, said tough time awaits erring drivers as anyone caught would be sanctioned.

The command, he said, is partnering with other agencies to end traffic congestion and lawlessness in the state.

March 10, 2015
87, 853 traffic offenders held in Ogun

The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) has apprehended no fewer than 87,853 traffic offenders with various offences in 10 years, its Commander/Chief Executive Officer, Ayo Sangofadeji has said.

Taking stock of TRACE’s achievements in its first decade of existence, Sangofadeji said the offences included riding motorcycle without safety helmet, driving without safety belt, using mobile phones while driving, illegal parking and overloading.

The offenders, he said, were fined and also counselled before their vehicles or motorcycles were released to them.

Sangofadeji said TRACE started with public enlightenment and orientation of road users on how best the road can be used, and the need to comply with safety rules before embarking on enforcement.

The TRACE boss, who spoke with reporters in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, said the government is committed to a technology-driven traffic management by installing modern devices on the roads.

Some of the devices according to Sangofadeji, are Close Circuit Television (CCTV), radar gun, speed detector among others.

These, he said, were being installed to enhance compliance with safety rules and to bring erring motorists to book.

TRACE, the commander said, would not relent in retraining its officers on modern road safety management.

Sangofadeji added that TRACE will continue to champion road user-friendly education and enforce traffic regulations in the years ahead.

March 10, 2015
How to stem road crashes, by FRSC chief

OW can the high rate of road accidents be stemmed? It is by ensuring that only tested motorists are behind the wheels, says the Lagos Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Hyginus Omeje.

During a visit to the Ikeja Unit Command of the corps, Omeje noted that many vehicles that were not supposed to be on the road are found, manned by drivers using fake licence.

He urged motorists to follow due process in obtaining the licence adding that accidents will reduce if motorists adhere strictly to the rules.

Omeje maintained that the rate of accidents involving inexperienced drivers with fake licences is becoming worrisome.

These unscrupulous motorists with little knowledge of the road obtain fake licence through touts, who charge them more than the normal fee, he said.

The commission, he said, is committed to ending incessant accidents leading to the loss of lives and properties which are caused by inexperienced drivers.

Omeje said short circuiting the process, would deny motorists the exposure to practical and theoretical tests before being given their driver’s licence.

“Some of these drivers lack adequate knowledge guiding driving on the highways, including the traffic rules and regulations,” he said.

Omeje however said there have been improved compliance to the procurement of licences at all the FRSC offices in Lagos by motorists, adding that the idea of sending proxies to procure it is abating.

“More motorists are realising that the agency means business when we said it is an offence for anyone to obtain driver’s licence by proxy because it will be fake and anyone caught driving with fake or without a driver’s licence is risking imprisonment.”

He debunked the claim that the licensing process is slow, accusing those behind such campaigns of believing in cutting corner to get things done.

Omeje said the Command produced over 5,040 driver’s licence in January, appealing to motorists to follow due process in order to obtain the original document.

He warned both Regular and Special Marshals to desist from collecting money from people to help them procure driver’s licence, saying any officer caught would be dismissed and prosecuted.

The Ikeja Unit Commander, Mr Olawale Odekunle, said tough time awaits erring drivers as anyone caught would be sanctioned.

The command, he said, is partnering with other agencies to end traffic congestion and lawlessness in the state.

March 10, 2015
Is this railway’s wonder pill?

A bill to amend the Nigerian Railway Act 1955 is before the National Assembly. Its passage is expected to bring a new lease of life to the railway corporation, writes Adeyinka Aderibigbe

ThINGS may start looking up soon at the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) following the government’s plan to amend the 60-year-old law establishing it.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation Act 1955, widely perceived to have outlived its usefulness was was sent to the National Assembly for a repeal.

The law, seen as an hindrance to railway operations made the corporation government’s exclusive property. Its over 30 provisions are said to have outlived their relevance.

Section 29 of the Act, which addresses the construction of railways by persons other than the corporation, for instance, says: “It shall be unlawful for any person without the consent of the corporation to construct or operate a railway for public carriage of passengers or goods within Nigeria.”

This provision stopped many institutional, public and private investor from investing in the railway. Yet, the corporation has been grossly under-funded and neglected by the government, limiting its capacity to deliver on its mandate.

Long history of neglect

The Nigerian Railway Corporation began operation in 1898, when the British colonial government constructed the first rail road in Nigeria. On October 3, 1912, the Lagos Government Railway and the Baro-Kano Railway were amalgamated and the Government Department of Railway was formed to give rail service national spread.

In 1955, it became known as the Nigerian Railway Corporation through an Act, with exclusive legal right to construct and operate rail service in Nigeria.

The network was expanded in 1964, four years after independence, and as at 2003, the NRC had constructed 3,557 kilometres of tracks, 19 kilometres of which were dual gauge and the remainder, standard gauge.

Originally meant to have three arterial lines – the Western, the Eastern and the Central – government was able to develop two, the West, which connects Lagos in the Southwest to Kano, and East, which connects Port Harcourt in the Southsouth, to Maiduguri in the Northeast and capital of the state of Borno, while the third remained on the drawing board until recently.

The corporation may seem to have jettisoned the ambitious trans-border connection, meant to link Nigeria to Niger, (which ought to have materialised in 2006, while the Eastern Line meant to link Cameroon, was put on hold following the October 2002 International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) verdict which ceded Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon.

Trains operated at maximum efficiency until shortly after independence in 1964. The services declined due to inept management, and was eventually grounded by lack of maintenance of its assets including lines, locomotives, and coaches.

In 1988, NRC became bankrupt, and all rail traffic was stopped for six months. Passenger services were discontinued in 2002. Skeletal services resumed in 2006 with the government restoring rail lines and buying new locomotives. In November 2012, passenger services was restored on the Western Line as the Lagos to Kano intercity train service became regular.

Infrastructure

The NRC owns nearly 200 diesel- driven locomotives of which almost 75 per cent is obsolete. There are about 54 shunters, 480 passenger coaches and 4900 freight wagons with less than 50 per cent of these in serviceable condition.

A standard gauge network, the dream of modern train service is slowly progressing with its main line extending over 217 kilometres from Oturkpo to Ajaokuta.

A further 51.2 kilometres of standard gauge is also emerging between Itakpe mines and Ajaokuta, while government plans to add more standard gauge lines to these ones: Ajaokuta to Abuja and Ajaokuta to the Warri, about 500 kilometres and from Port Harcourt to Makurdi, a distance of 463 kilometres.

The NRC offer new rolling-stock consisting of couch-type sleepers, air-conditioned first class sitting coaches and non-air conditioned economy class coaches as well as mass transit trains to and from Lagos to Ijoko, in Ogun State, a distance of 48 kilometres.

Reinventing the wheel

The pressure on government to source new ways of funding the huge infrastructural deficit occasioned by the long years of neglect gave rise to options, such as the Public Private Partnership (PPP) and privatisation.

Policy makers said with dwindling revenue from the government, these options which aims at drawing funding from local and international firms, remain the way out of another relapse into neglect.

To them, the efficiency and profitability of the railway can only be guaranteed by privatising the Nigerian Railway Corporation or permitting private sector players in areas considered its exclusive preserve.

Government decided to begin the privatisation march by getting the railway back on track again. With the Western Line in operation for three straight years and the Eastern Line eventually on stream last month, the NRC board believes the corporation is ready for the next phase of its development.

“We are telling the whole universe with this inauguration that our railway that was hitherto comatose is fully back…the sleeping giant is awake,” said the NRC Chairman Bamanga Tukur, at the launch of Gombe-Kafanchan-Port Harcourt rail line in Gombe on January 31.

Under the privatisation plan, three separate concessions of between 25-30 years are expected to be granted to private-sector operators/firms to run train services in the western, central, and eastern lines.

The corporation said it invested about N4.1 billion in the acquisition of new train sets that include 12 coaches and two DMUs.

NRC Managing Director, Adeseyi Sijuade described the investment as a milestone in the corporation’s quest for modern rail transportation.

While acknowledging that no substantial arrangements had been made in the past to sustain investments, he said, part of the arrangement for the sustainability of its investment, is the retention of technical skills needed to maintain the newly acquired trains.

“We don’t put much emphasis on maintenance. So, you find out that when you move around the various locations of Nigerian Railway all over the country, you see all our rolling stocks littered all over the place. These were due to inadequate provision of spare parts and inadequate provision for maintenance

“But we have learnt a lot of lessons from such failures and that is why on this particular occasion, we are engaging the company on two-year deal for those six technicians.” Sijuwade said.

A law to the rescue

A lead transport consultant Ayuli Jemide in a paper: Relevant legislation issues arising from NRC Act on key railway assets; presented to the Central Working Committee on Nigeria Infrastructure Regulation Commission (NIRC) in 2009, said a repeal of the law would usher the railway into another phase of its development.

He listed investment opportunities to include network development and expansion in the following areas: the opening of access from Onne to Port Harcourt. The opening of all the sea ports to be linked by rail network as only two seaports (Apapa Quay and Port Harcourt) out of seven are presently linked, the solving of the Abuja–Kaduna gridlock and the linking of Minna–Abuja–Lagos by standard gauge.

Other according to Jemide, are the linking of emerging industrial/commercial zones in suburban areas and urban centres by rail and the building of air–rail links as none of the 20 airports are served by railways.

Also speaking the NRC spokesman Abdulafeez Akinwoye who described the move as a good omen for all Nigerian said fresh investments would be expected on all areas especially track modernisation, and the upgrading of railway facilities, wagons and locomotives.

“For Nigerians to enjoy the best train service, all obstacles must be removed. We look forward to the era of a new Nigerian Railway as real investors would now be able to come in and invest for profit. Recently a feasibility study was done on how to link all state capitals by railway and this can be made possible as not only private firms but even state and local governments can also play active role in the sector”, he said.

Akinwoye and other stakeholders belive the injection of private funds into the Nigerian Railway system will boost the economy. A sustained investment in a Nigerian railway network which would be made possible with the new law could pave the way for development of a sub-regional international railway corridor in West Africa.

March 3, 2015
Is this railway’s wonder pill?

A bill to amend the Nigerian Railway Act 1955 is before the National Assembly. Its passage is expected to bring a new lease of life to the railway corporation, writes Adeyinka Aderibigbe

THINGS may start looking up soon at the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) following the government’s plan to amend the 60-year-old law establishing it.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation Act 1955, widely perceived to have outlived its usefulness was was sent to the National Assembly for a repeal.

The law, seen as an hindrance to railway operations made the corporation government’s exclusive property. Its over 30 provisions are said to have outlived their relevance.

Section 29 of the Act, which addresses the construction of railways by persons other than the corporation, for instance, says: “It shall be unlawful for any person without the consent of the corporation to construct or operate a railway for public carriage of passengers or goods within Nigeria.”

This provision stopped many institutional, public and private investor from investing in the railway. Yet, the corporation has been grossly under-funded and neglected by the government, limiting its capacity to deliver on its mandate.

Long history of neglect

The Nigerian Railway Corporation began operation in 1898, when the British colonial government constructed the first rail road in Nigeria. On October 3, 1912, the Lagos Government Railway and the Baro-Kano Railway were amalgamated and the Government Department of Railway was formed to give rail service national spread.

In 1955, it became known as the Nigerian Railway Corporation through an Act, with exclusive legal right to construct and operate rail service in Nigeria.

The network was expanded in 1964, four years after independence, and as at 2003, the NRC had constructed 3,557 kilometres of tracks, 19 kilometres of which were dual gauge and the remainder, standard gauge.

Originally meant to have three arterial lines – the Western, the Eastern and the Central – government was able to develop two, the West, which connects Lagos in the Southwest to Kano, and East, which connects Port Harcourt in the Southsouth, to Maiduguri in the Northeast and capital of the state of Borno, while the third remained on the drawing board until recently.

The corporation may seem to have jettisoned the ambitious trans-border connection, meant to link Nigeria to Niger, (which ought to have materialised in 2006, while the Eastern Line meant to link Cameroon, was put on hold following the October 2002 International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) verdict which ceded Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon.

Trains operated at maximum efficiency until shortly after independence in 1964. The services declined due to inept management, and was eventually grounded by lack of maintenance of its assets including lines, locomotives, and coaches.

In 1988, NRC became bankrupt, and all rail traffic was stopped for six months. Passenger services were discontinued in 2002. Skeletal services resumed in 2006 with the government restoring rail lines and buying new locomotives. In November 2012, passenger services was restored on the Western Line as the Lagos to Kano intercity train service became regular.

Infrastructure

The NRC owns nearly 200 diesel- driven locomotives of which almost 75 per cent is obsolete. There are about 54 shunters, 480 passenger coaches and 4900 freight wagons with less than 50 per cent of these in serviceable condition.

A standard gauge network, the dream of modern train service is slowly progressing with its main line extending over 217 kilometres from Oturkpo to Ajaokuta.

A further 51.2 kilometres of standard gauge is also emerging between Itakpe mines and Ajaokuta, while government plans to add more standard gauge lines to these ones: Ajaokuta to Abuja and Ajaokuta to the Warri, about 500 kilometres and from Port Harcourt to Makurdi, a distance of 463 kilometres.

The NRC offer new rolling-stock consisting of couch-type sleepers, air-conditioned first class sitting coaches and non-air conditioned economy class coaches as well as mass transit trains to and from Lagos to Ijoko, in Ogun State, a distance of 48 kilometres.

Reinventing the wheel

The pressure on government to source new ways of funding the huge infrastructural deficit occasioned by the long years of neglect gave rise to options, such as the Public Private Partnership (PPP) and privatisation.

Policy makers said with dwindling revenue from the government, these options which aims at drawing funding from local and international firms, remain the way out of another relapse into neglect.

To them, the efficiency and profitability of the railway can only be guaranteed by privatising the Nigerian Railway Corporation or permitting private sector players in areas considered its exclusive preserve.

Government decided to begin the privatisation march by getting the railway back on track again. With the Western Line in operation for three straight years and the Eastern Line eventually on stream last month, the NRC board believes the corporation is ready for the next phase of its development.

“We are telling the whole universe with this inauguration that our railway that was hitherto comatose is fully back…the sleeping giant is awake,” said the NRC Chairman Bamanga Tukur, at the launch of Gombe-Kafanchan-Port Harcourt rail line in Gombe on January 31.

Under the privatisation plan, three separate concessions of between 25-30 years are expected to be granted to private-sector operators/firms to run train services in the western, central, and eastern lines.

The corporation said it invested about N4.1 billion in the acquisition of new train sets that include 12 coaches and two DMUs.

NRC Managing Director, Adeseyi Sijuade described the investment as a milestone in the corporation’s quest for modern rail transportation.

While acknowledging that no substantial arrangements had been made in the past to sustain investments, he said, part of the arrangement for the sustainability of its investment, is the retention of technical skills needed to maintain the newly acquired trains.

“We don’t put much emphasis on maintenance. So, you find out that when you move around the various locations of Nigerian Railway all over the country, you see all our rolling stocks littered all over the place. These were due to inadequate provision of spare parts and inadequate provision for maintenance

“But we have learnt a lot of lessons from such failures and that is why on this particular occasion, we are engaging the company on two-year deal for those six technicians.” Sijuwade said.

A law to the rescue

A lead transport consultant Ayuli Jemide in a paper: Relevant legislation issues arising from NRC Act on key railway assets; presented to the Central Working Committee on Nigeria Infrastructure Regulation Commission (NIRC) in 2009, said a repeal of the law would usher the railway into another phase of its development.

He listed investment opportunities to include network development and expansion in the following areas: the opening of access from Onne to Port Harcourt. The opening of all the sea ports to be linked by rail network as only two seaports (Apapa Quay and Port Harcourt) out of seven are presently linked, the solving of the Abuja–Kaduna gridlock and the linking of Minna–Abuja–Lagos by standard gauge.

Other according to Jemide, are the linking of emerging industrial/commercial zones in suburban areas and urban centres by rail and the building of air–rail links as none of the 20 airports are served by railways.

Also speaking the NRC spokesman Abdulafeez Akinwoye who described the move as a good omen for all Nigerian said fresh investments would be expected on all areas especially track modernisation, and the upgrading of railway facilities, wagons and locomotives.

“For Nigerians to enjoy the best train service, all obstacles must be removed. We look forward to the era of a new Nigerian Railway as real investors would now be able to come in and invest for profit. Recently a feasibility study was done on how to link all state capitals by railway and this can be made possible as not only private firms but even state and local governments can also play active role in the sector”, he said.

Akinwoye and other stakeholders belive the injection of private funds into the Nigerian Railway system will boost the economy. A sustained investment in a Nigerian railway network which would be made possible with the new law could pave the way for development of a sub-regional international railway corridor in West Africa.

March 3, 2015