Why $5.3bn Ibadan-Kano rail loan approval is delayed – Amaechi – Newstrends
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Why $5.3bn Ibadan-Kano rail loan approval is delayed – Amaechi

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4 years ago

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Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi,  has accused some selfish lawmakers of causing the long delay in securing $5.3bn China loan approval for the construction of the second phase of the new Lagos-Kano railway project (Ibadan-Kano) with their ‘frivolous’ probe.

He said the probe and generated publicity on the details of a 2018 Chinese loan agreement had negatively affected the country and delayed the approval of the loan for the railway project.

The first phase, Lagos-Ibadan rail line costing about $2bn is currently on trial run, having been substantially completed.

In July 2020, a House of Representatives panel had raised the alarm over clauses conceding Nigeria’s sovereignty to China in a loan agreement.

The probe dragged on for weeks, despite assurances from Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation, that the Federal Government will work in the best interest of Nigerians, while Amaechi had also warned that the investigation may affect Nigeria’s chances when it comes to loans.

Giving an update on the situation on Monday when he featured on a Channels Television programme, Amaechi said the probe resulted in seven months of “waste”, as the approval process was delayed.

“That’s where we are. The loan for Ibadan to Kano, up till now we haven’t got the approval. And at the point that happened, we were just on the verge of getting approval. They withdrew. They’re asking more questions,” the minister said.

“The two things I said at that meeting; they’re happening now. There are other countries we have loan agreements with, that we entered into agreement to borrow money from. They don’t usually ask for immunity clause, because they trust you, so they expect that you’ll pay back. The moment you brought this to the public, it was ‘ah! You’re giving China immunity clause, so you must give us.’

“The selfishness of those members, who I don’t know what they’re pursuing, has put the country into jeopardy. Now, other countries are asking for immunity clause in their own agreements.

“The other aspect I said was that the Chinese may likely withdraw. That’s where we are; we’re talking to them. They’ve promised to give us the loan, but at least it’s held us back since June till now. We’ve done seven months. If they had give us money since June, we’ll have gone far. We would have started clearing by now. But imagine seven months wasted because one or some few members of the house of reps went to the public.”

Amaechi also gave a brief explanation of what was covered in the immunity clause regarding the Chinese loan agreement.

“I’ve explained over and over that what the immunity clause simply does is to say ‘look, in case you’re not able to pay back, I want to be given the opportunity to take you to court or to arbitration as it is in the clause’,” he said.

“What the immunity clause does for us as Nigeria is that you can go for everything in case the court awards you anything, but you can’t go for our diplomatic assets, military assets, oil assets. So, what’s remaining? Airport, railway… those are things you can go for in case the court awards you.”

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

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5 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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7 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

Published

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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