Relocation of infrastructure delays final Apapa port railway link – Minister – Newstrends
Connect with us

Railway

Relocation of infrastructure delays final Apapa port railway link – Minister

Published

4 years ago

on

The third and final track to link Apapa port to the new Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail line is currently being delayed due to issues relating to removal of some port facilities along the path.

Specifically, cracks along the quay apron of the Lagos Port Complex and a scanning machine at APM Terminals have been identified as major encumbrances.

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, disclosed this on Monday after inspecting the cracks and the scanning machine.

He, however, said a decision would be taken on how to address the problem at a meeting with experts later.

He said, “All we came to do today is to see how we will fix the track to the quays. We have problems with some port infrastructure to be removed or not to be removed.

“Luckily, the Customs has given us the go-ahead to remove them but their removal has proved a bit difficult. So, we are going to the office now to discuss with experts on how to remove this infrastructure.

“The second issue is that there are some cracks at the quays apron where we want to lay the track. We have come today to inspect those cracks and we will decide after meeting with experts.”

On when the port will be finally connected to the rail, Amaechi said, “I cannot give a timeline to that now because addressing these issues with port infrastructure is a bit technical. Until the engineers come up with a proper solution and time-based solution, that is when we can speak on when we will connect the port to the rail. I am not an engineer; I’m just the head of the ministry in charge.

“There are three tracks that enter the port, but we have issues with one of the rail tracks that has to pass through where the scanner is located. So, we are going to have a meeting to know how to go ahead with this. I won’t be making decisions at the meeting because I am just a policy implementer. I will allow the experts to come up with solutions that will guide our judgement in getting across this hurdle.

“We are working hard to find solutions; but we need expert advice to go ahead because these things are technical. We cannot commission if we don’t find a solution to these issues.”

Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria, an engineer, explained that it is only when the tracks get to the seaside that issues with multiple handling of cargoes could be eradicated.

He said, “The essence of the rail is to move freight. So, we have to get to the port seaside meaningfully, not just getting to the port. This has to happen so that multiple handling of cargoes will be eradicated. Presently, trucks are paid to bring cargoes to the rail because the tracks have not reached the seaside inside the container terminal.

“For now, the rail has reached the ENL Terminal which is a bulk cargo terminal. It is these encumbrances at the container terminal that are delaying the track from getting to the APM Terminals. As the minister has said, we are going for a meeting now to see how we can get across that hurdle.”

Related Topics:
Advertisement

Railway

Lagos Rail Mass Transit part of FG free train ride – NRC

Published

1 week ago

on

December 21, 2024

By

Lagos Rail Mass Transit part of FG free train ride – NRC

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has disclosed that the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) trains are included in the Federal Government’s free train ride initiative for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The LRMT, which currently includes the Phase 1 Blue Line Rail and the Phase 1 of the Red Line Rail, operates under the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).

This announcement was made by Ben Iloanusi, the Acting Managing Director of the NRC, during an interview on NTA News TV on Friday, following the launch of the initiative earlier that day.

While Iloanusi stated that Phase 1 of both the Blue Line and Red Line Rail projects are part of the program, LAMATA has yet to confirm this inclusion.

READ ALSO:

Iloanusi outlined the other routes benefiting from the scheme, which include the Lagos-Ibadan Train Service, Kaduna-Abuja Train Service, Warri-Itakpe Train Service, Port Harcourt-Aba Train Service, and the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Mass Transit in Lagos. Notably, little was previously known about the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Mass Transit service until this disclosure.

“Let me mention the routes where this free train service is happening. We have the Lagos-Ibadan Train Service, we have the Kaduna-Abuja Train Service, we have the Warri-Itakpe Train Service, we have the Lagos Rail Mass Transit trains, we have the Port Harcourt-Aba Train Service, and we have what we call the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Mass Transit, which is also in Lagos,” he stated.

Iloanusi provided operational updates, stating that passengers nationwide can access free tickets online or, for those unable to do so, at train stations where they will be profiled and validated.

He noted that passengers using NRC-managed services (excluding the Lagos Rail Mass Transit) should reserve tickets via the official website, www.nrc.gov.ng, with a valid ID required. He also advised travelers to plan, arrive on time, and bring valid identification.

Lagos Rail Mass Transit part of FG free train ride – NRC

Continue Reading

Railway

NRC announces special Xmas, end-of-year train service

Published

3 weeks ago

on

December 5, 2024

By

NRC announces special Xmas, end-of-year train service

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) says it will operate an end of the year special train service on all its routes across the country.
It announced this in a statement on Wednesday by its Deputy Director, Public Relations, Yakub Mahmood, saying it was in compliance with the Federal Government’s directive through the Federal Ministry of Transportation.
It however did not indicate if the special train service would be free or not.
The Federal Government last year similarly declared special train services for Christmas and New Year, which were made free for all users.
The statement added the modality for this year’s special service would be released soon.
The latest statement read, “The management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), in compliance with the Federal Government’s directive through the Federal Ministry of Transportation, hereby informs the general public that the NRC shall operate end of the year special train services in commemoration of Christmas and New Year celebrations.
“This end-of-the-year special train service on scheduled passenger trains, is part of the government’s gesture towards an enjoyable end of the year celebration.
“Dates and modalities of the end-of-the-year Special Train Service shall be communicated in due course. We wish all our esteemed customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in advance.”

Continue Reading

Railway

FG hands over $3bn Port Harcourt-Aba railway project to NRC

Published

1 month ago

on

November 29, 2024

By

FG hands over $3bn Port Harcourt-Aba railway project to NRC

The 62-kilometre, $3.02 billion Port Harcourt-Aba railway project has been completed by Federal Government and handed over to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

The Port Harcourt-Aba section is part of the larger Port Harcourt-Maiduguri eastern narrow gauge railway project, initiated under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The project supervisor, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Ayo Dada, formally transferred the railway to the NRC during a brief ceremony held on Thursday in Port Harcourt.

He said that the project, completed in May, had significantly improved passenger movement between Rivers and Abia, thereby enhancing their economies.

“The assets handed over include dismantled tracks measuring 283.060 km, rehabilitated and reconstructed 62.800 km of subgrade and the laying of 62.800 km of rail for the main line,” Dada said.

“This includes the laying of rail for sliding lines covering 5.690 km and the reconstruction of 27 sets of turnouts at Port Harcourt, Elelenwo, Obuzor, Umugo and Aba Stations, among others.”

Dada said that with the handover of the Port Harcourt–Aba section, the Federal Government would focus on the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri phase of the project.

READ ALSO:

“The contractor has submitted the technical specifications and maintenance manual for the Port Harcourt–Aba section to the consultants.

“The ministry is committed to completing this project, which will foster national development,” he said.

The Managing Director of the NRC, Ben Iloanusi, commended the Federal Government and the ministry of transportation for the timely completion and transfer of the project.

Iloanusi, represented by the NRC Deputy Manager (Civil), Adesegun Ogunade, said that the railway had greatly benefited Nigerians seeking affordable transportation options.

“The rail line, now in operation, has started mitigating the impact of high transportation costs caused by economic challenges,” he said.

“Train services have been running for some time and passengers have reported that it has made commuting between Port Harcourt and Aba more convenient, faster and cheaper.

“People are already experiencing the benefits of this government’s policies and programmes.’’

He assured that the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri section would also be completed in due course, emphasising that adequate security arrangements had been made to ensure the safety of workers and passengers.

 

FG hands over $3bn Port Harcourt-Aba railway project to NRC

Continue Reading

Trending