NRC develops framework for PPP, working with LASG for red line take-off

Nigerian Railway Corporation has developed a train track access framework to encourage Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in the operation of effective train services in the country, Managing Director of the NRC, Fidet Okhiria, has said.

He also said the NRC had set up a team to work with the Lagos State Government to ensure smooth launch and effective running of the state government’s mass transit train called the Red Line.

He stated this during a press briefing held Wednesday at the NRC’s headquarters, Ebute Meta, Lagos.

He said that the establishment of train track access framework would enable third parties to use the track.

Okhiria said the framework would increase private sector participation and the usage of the trackers.

He said it would also improve inter-state business and passengers would pay lesser amount for carriage of goods from one point to another.

He said, “We have tendered the Train Track Access Framework to the Board of the NRC during our last meeting and we hope that the framework will be approved at the next board meeting.

“We have set up a team to work with the Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) to enable them to operate successfully.

“LAMATA had just received wagons for the Red Line and hopefully they will start operation by the first quarter of 2023.”

The state government some days took delivery of Talgo Series 8 trains acquired from Milwaukee for the Red Line with a promise that the first quarter delivery date for the train service remained sacrosant.

Okhiria also said on Wednesday that efforts were being made by the Federal Government to adequately secure trains’ passengers nationwide as well as address other industry issues.

He said the incident of March 28, 2022 impacted not just on the Abuja-Kaduna route but on all the train services nationwide but added that the confidence of Nigerians on train ride as the safest means of transportation was gradually being restored.