We’re seeking alternative funding for railway modernisation — Amaechi

The Federal Government is in search of alternative funding mechanism to modernise the rail system, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has said.

He said this on Friday during the 2021 Annual Public Lecture titled ‘Nigeria’s National Rail Transport Project’ and organised by Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Science, University of Lagos, Akoka.

He said the Federal Government had recovered most of the failed locations on the narrow gauge corridor and taking precautions using the Environment Impact Assessment report on the standard gauge corridor.

He said all the new railway projects were embedded with rich technology transfer clauses.

The minister said that establishment of rail projects was to reduce cost of transportation and boost the nation’s economy.

He said all the regions in the country would have been connected with rail but for lack of sustainable funding plan, environmental issues, degenerated infrastructure, theft of railway materials and obsolete legal framework.

According to him, the railway project is affected by decline of requisite railway professionals, indiscriminate disposal of refuse on the railway right of way by citizens, among others.

Amaechi appealed to community leaders and civil society organisations to join in the fight against vandalisation of railway infrastructure across the country.

Vice Chancellor of the UNILAG, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, in his welcome address, said efficient transportation would provide access to business and competitiveness in the region.

Ogundipe, represented by Prof. Oluwole Familoni, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), said, “When transport systems are efficient, they provide economic and social opportunities and benefits that result in positive multiplier effects such as better accessibility to market, employment, and additional investment.

“Availability of railway also plays an important role in reducing regional disparities and improving the competitiveness of region, by facilitating, trade movement of labour, and economies of scale.

“In vast country like ours, where the population are not only scattered all over the country but are also separated by desert, forest, valley and mountains efficient, reliable and cheep means of transportation like modern railway network are essential.”

The Dean, Faculty of Social Science, Prof. Olufunmilayo Bammeke, said that the ongoing modernisation of railway system would not only revitalise the mode of transportation but also invariably impact economic development in Nigeria.

“Although skepticism was high as President Buhari opened Nigeria’s first standard gauge railway modernisation project in 2016, now it has become clear that the government is committed not just to the revitalisation of the rail but to maintaining high international standards.

“From Abuja to Kaduna, Lagos to Ibadan and Warri to Itakpe, it has been stories of excitement, success and of course, challenges.

“There are more to come from what we have heard from the media, Kaduna to Kano, Ibadan to Kano, Lagos to Calabar.”