Train operations to begin on Port Harcourt-Aba rail line within months – NRC MD

Train operations to begin on Port Harcourt-Aba rail line within months – NRC MD 

Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Fidet Okhiria, says the 63-km Port Harcourt-Aba rail line will begin train operation within some months.

The Port Harcourt-Aba line is part of the narrow gauge Port Harcourt-Maiduguri railway resuscitation project initiated by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Okhiria gave the updates on Wednesday while leading a delegation to inspect the project.
He said train services would begin as soon as finishing touches are done on the tracks.
He said, “We are so anxious to begin operation. Therefore, the Minister of Transportation, Ahmed Alkali, directed us to come and inspect the project so that we can plan ahead of the operations.
“We inspected from Port Harcourt to Aba, and we can confirm the main tracks have reached Aba in Abia.”
Okhiria said contractors were still installing loop and sidelines, so that rail services can start immediately.
He said, “As we speak, you can put a locomotive on the track to Aba, but that will not be good enough for commercial purposes, hence, we are working hard to resume operations.
“We are looking to start operations within months, and we have drawn a timeline. If we don’t start running on the track, it will go bad, and vandals will take possession. We are going to meet and work out possible plan; so very soon, Port Harcourt-Aba train services will start.”

He added, “The project from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri is not yet completed. Contractors are working in phases, and they have laid tracks up to Aba.”