By Femi Anamelechi
The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led APC Government is now more than ever resolved to deliver on The Renewed Hope Mantra as the government is now poised to take rail services closer the citizens even down the grassroot. This is coming on the heels of Federal governments recently finalized arrangement to support state governments in the country to develop intra- city rail network that will engage in massive movement of people within each states. The plan is modelled after the Lagos State rail network which operates two- coloured coded metro train of Blue and Red lines.
Already, four more states are at various stages of readiness to join Lagos as train-friendly states. The states, Plateau, Niger, Bauchi and Ogun States have already started discussions with the NRC on how to open-up their states for rail network development.Dr Kayode Opeifa, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Cooperation( NRC), pointed out that the the Tinubu led administration will soon unveil plans for massive infrastructure development of the railway under the Renewed Hope Agenda. According to Dr.Opeifa who made the declaration while playing host to the Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Engr Mrs Abimbola Akinajo, who led top management of the agency, on a courtesy visit. He assured that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigerians will operate more reformed and modernized train systems comparable to anywhere in the world.
“The Federal Government under the Renewed Hope Agenda, has graciously agreed to support all state governments develop their intra-city rail networks taking off from the national rail corridor in their state” Opeifa declared.Opeifa commended 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, adding that LAMATA is proving to the world that nothing is impossible.“The Blue line is an example that nothing is impossible. That is a line that runs exclusively on electricity and LAMATA has been able to keep it in operation for two years non-stop.” 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.
The NRC boss, however regretted that Nigeria built about 3,500 kilometres of rail tracks in 60 years and stopped for another 60 years. Opeifa said this administration under its Renewed Hope Agenda is determined to put a stop to that and ensure that it sustained the massive investments of the Federal Government on rail transportation infrastructure. He further 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. Opeifa said he looked forward to the time when all states of the federation will be able to run train services round the clock in their states which would lessen the burden on the NRC and make it to concentrate on freight movements.
The NRC CEO 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.Opeifa, who was excited to receive the LAMATA team ,said as a Lagosian, he is determined to push the corporation to continue to support all LAMATA’s strides, adding that with him at the helm of affairs at NRC, Lagos should consider the corporation as a ready and willing partner.LAMATA’s Managing Director ,Mrs Abimbola Akinajo ,said her team thought it needful to pay the new NRC Managing Director a visit, because of the cordial relationship between the Corporation and LAMATA.According to her, LAMATA is happy that a Lagosian and a member of the LAMATA family is now at the helms of affairs at the NRC.
“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.She said 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,”
