NRC, Plateau sign MoU to revive Jos–Kuru train – Newstrends
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NRC, Plateau sign MoU to revive Jos–Kuru train

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2 weeks ago

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NRC, Plateau sign MoU to revive Jos–Kuru train

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and Plateau State Government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to restore and operate the historic Jos–Kuru rail corridor.

The agreement was signed at the NRC Lagos headquarters on Monday by the Commissioner for Transportation in Plateau State, Mr Jatau Davou, and the NRC Managing Director, Dr Kayode Opeifa.

This is contained in a statement by the NRC Media Team, adding that it marks a significant milestone in efforts to boost economic activity, reduce transportation costs, and improve mobility in Plateau State and beyond.

Davou, who represented the Plateau State Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, expressed profound gratitude to the Minister of Transportation, Hon. Said Ahmed Alkali, and the new NRC Managing Director, Dr Opeifa, for their unwavering support despite numerous challenges.

He said, “This is not just about rail transportation; it is about restoring hope and economic prosperity to our people. “We appreciate the United Nations for debunking negative narratives about our dear state and reaffirming our commitment to national development.”

Jos–Kuru line, according to the statement, a segment of the historic Kafanchan–Kuru route, will serve as a vital link between the Western and Eastern rail corridors.

It will connect local communities, support farmers and traders with efficient cargo movement, and ultimately drive down the cost and duration of travel within the state.

“While the service will initially operate on the existing narrow gauge, plans are underway to expand to modern standard gauge networks as part of a broader national railway modernisation programme,” it stated.

In his remarks, Opeifa emphasized the importance of federal-state cooperation in infrastructure development, lauding the Plateau State government’s proactive role in restoring the once-abandoned rail tracks.

“This partnership demonstrates how government at all levels can collaborate beyond politics, to deliver tangible benefits to Nigerians.

We’re not just bringing trains; we’re bringing back dignity, economic empowerment, and national integration,” Opeifa added.

He also clarified that recent reports of railway assets being stolen were misinformed.

“Those coaches were not stolen. They were redeployed to Plateau where they are now being rehabilitated and put to productive use.”

With the NRC committing to station a dedicated business manager in Plateau to oversee operations, the project is expected to generate jobs, stimulate local businesses, and offer new advertising and entertainment opportunities through train services, the statement added.

He disclosed that the Minister of Transportation, Alkali, threw his full weight behind this project, reaffirming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and pledging the full support of the Federal Government in ensuring that it delivered full dividends of rail services to the average Nigerians who badly needed these services.

Opeifa said, “We will continue to (provide functional) rail across Nigeria — from Jos to Borno, from Aba to Port Harcourt, and everywhere in between. This is a new dawn for Nigerian rail.”

He said he looked forward to the commencement of commercial operation on the corridor anytime soon, in order to assure the people of the Plateau of the commitment of the FG under the Tinubu administration to take rail transportation all parts of Nigeria.

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Why we extended suspension of Warri-Itakpe Train Services – NRC

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3 days ago

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April 20, 2025

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Why we extended suspension of Warri-Itakpe Train Services – NRC 

 

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has given reasons why the Warri Itakpe Train services could not resume operation after its suspension meant to last only 72 hours.

Although it stated the technical issues necessitating suspension of the standard gauge rail line had been fixed, it decided to delay the reopening to attend to other related matters that would support sustainable operations in line with best practices.

This is contained in a statement issued on Saturday signed by the NRC’s acting Deputy Director, Public Relations, Mr. Callistus Unyimadu.

Part of the statement read, “The management of the corporation, under the leadership of Dr. Kayode Opeifa wishes to further clarify that while the major technical issues have been resolved by our technical team, additional time is required to implement necessary redundancies that will support sustainable operations in line with best practices.

“This period will also be utilized to address other operational concerns, including improvements in customer services, equipment safety standards, and procedural upgrade.

“We appreciate the understanding and patience of our esteemed passengers and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

“Be assured that Warri-Itakpe Train Services will soon be back, bigger, stronger and better.”

The corporation recalled that the train operation was temporarily suspended on Thursday, 10th April, 2025, due to some technical and operational issues.

The action, it stated, was for safety, better customer service experience and improved operational efficiencies.

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NRC, Enugu collaborate to speed up Port Harcourt-Aba-Enugu rail project

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5 days ago

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April 18, 2025

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Managing Director (MD) of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa

NRC, Enugu collaborate to speed up Port Harcourt-Aba-Enugu rail project

The Managing Director (MD) of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has said the Enugu-Port Harcourt railway project is already receiving attention as one of the top priority projects of the Federal Government (FG).

While assuring that the project had been getting a fair share of the national budget, the MD commended Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State for his transformational initiatives, saying the governor’s investment in infrastructure was already rubbing off on the people’s standard of living.

Opeifa, who stated these when he led a delegation of senior Management team of the NRC on a working visit to the Government House, Enugu, explained that he was in the state to reaffirm Management’s commitment to fostering cooperation with the state government in areas of mutual interest.

He pledged continuous synergy with the state to revamp the Port Harcourt-Aba-Enugu rail line on the Eastern Corridor since there were increasing demands for it by the people, who were mostly into business and trading.

“The whole essence of this visit is to deepen our relationship and collaboration with the state government under the administration of Governor Peter Mbah. I also want you to know that the Nigerian Railway Corporation and the Enugu City shared a common history,” he added.

He further said that Enugu under Mbah was doing what the corporation was watching out for in terms of the enabling infrastructure such as the transport terminals that the Corporation was poised to take advantage of.

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“Enugu State is doing what the Nigerian Railway is looking forth to. The building of road transport terminals by the administration is what we are trying to take advantage of in our railway corridors. I came to discuss about it. The discussion has been on. So I only came to affirm it.

“I have eyes, I can see. I have ears, I can hear. So, when I entered this city, I see myself the difference this administration is making. I can hear from those who live here for longer.

“Seriously speaking, this is a different kind of government. He is a business man. He knows what he wants and he doesn’t see obstacles or challenges. He just faces what he wants to do and that is why you can see him achieving all these.

“Meanwhile, he told me that what we call much is actually that little, saying that many, many more will come and I believe him,” Opeifa noted.

According to him, President Bola Tinubu had already issued a directive to the corporation to fashion out mutual relationship with the state and work out initiatives that would engender a seamless transportation for economic prosperity.

While enjoining the state to take advantage of the Eastern Line, once completed, the MD further appealed to the governor to strengthen security around their assets, which had come under vandalism by notorious scraps dealers.

Governor Mbah, on his part, said that Enugu had an inextricable history with the NRC dating back to the discovery of coal and the subsequent shipping of the coal to Port Harcourt in 1918, using the rail transport.

He expressed delight over the efforts of the Management to revitalise the NRC and restore it to its glorious days, recalling that the revitalisation of the Eastern Railway Corridor was one of the demands made by South East leaders and also approved by President Bola Tinubu during his visit to Enugu earlier in the year.

He further explained that efforts were also in top gear by the state and other states in the region to create a common market, which required the provision of certain enablers such as seamless rail system to fast-track trades, revealing also the administration’s plan for an intra-rail system that would also link the major lines by the NRC.

He pledged to support the NRC’s clinic to function optimally and also protect the Corporation’s facilities against acts of vandalisation and encroachment.

 

NRC, Enugu collaborate to speed up Port Harcourt-Aba-Enugu rail project

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NRC suspends Warri-Itakpe train after multiple engine failure

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2 weeks ago

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April 10, 2025

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NRC suspends Warri-Itakpe train after multiple engine failure

 

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) on Thursday announced the suspension of its Warri-Itakpe train service, after it experienced multiple technical issues.

The standard gauge train was said to have broken down midway on Tuesday, creating some panic situation among passengers on board.
It said in a statement that the decision to suspend the train operation would allow its technical team “to conduct a full audit, resolve all identified issues, and restore safe and reliable service.”
The NRC statement signed by Henrietta Eregare of the NRC Public Relations Department, read in part, “The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) wishes to inform the general public and our valued passengers that a significant disruption occurred on the Warri-Itakpe rail line on Tuesday, April 9, 2025, due to multiple technical issues involving a train engine failure.
“Management has consequently suspended train services on the route for 72 hours.
“The disruption commenced at approximately 1:38pm and affected both the 8am departure from Warri and the 2pm train from Itakpe.
“Emergency recovery protocols were immediately activated but also suffered a setback due to engine failures.”
It recalled how the corporation swiftly arranged for the safe evacuation of all passengers through road transportation with adequate security presence.
“Passengers were guided off the affected train to waiting cars approximately 500 meters from the track.
It stated, “Some Passengers chose to arrange their own transportation before the arrival of official recovery vehicles—a decision NRC understands given the delay.”
The corporation also disclosed that adequate arrangements had been made for a full refund of the value of tickets to passengers involved in the disrupted trains.
Those interested in using their tickets for future trips can take advantage of the revalidation option, according to the NRC.
“Refund and revalidation process is available on our online ticketing platforms, via our customer service lines, and at all NRC stations,” the statement added.
It expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the unexpected disruption.
It said, “The Nigerian Railway Corporation takes full responsibility and is actively working to restore normal operations as quickly as possible. We remain committed to the safety, reliability, and comfort of our passengers.”

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