Updated: FG asks NRC to increase new Lagos-Ibadan trains

The Federal Government has directed the Nigerian Railway Corporation to increase the number of trains currently being run on the new standard gauge Lagos-Ibadan rail line.

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, gave the directive on Saturday after inspection of train stations along the route.

Amaechi spoke at Moniya railway mega station, Ibadan, just as the Managing Director of the NRC, Fidet Okhiria, said 16 trips would be run daily on the route.

The corporation began one return trip (two trains) on the new rail line on December 3, 2021 after completing the track laying from Lagos to Ibadan.

Amaechi expressed satisfaction with the quality and level of work done so far by the contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation.

He, however, did not give any specific date for the delivery of the entire project.

Meanwhile, the NRC MD said 11 new locomotives, two of which are for shunting, and 44 coaches had been delivered to the corporation.

He added that they would be deployed for freight and passenger standard gauge trains currently running in Nigeria.