By Afolabi Oyekunle.
Dr. Opeifa
He is just one year in office, but well focus to reshape the Nigerian Railway Corporation to achieve positive strides to move the rail sector towards modern trend.
Dr. Kayode Opeifa, Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation has recently been speaking on his achievements in office and what he believes can be achieved in the sector.
Speaking in an interview, he disclosed that all the states capitals will be linked with rail lines. He disclosed that under the present laws, states have been permitted to build rail lines, as railway has been removed from the Exclusive List to the Concurrent List. "We are already discussing with Regional development commissions on further areas of railway development."
According to Dr. Opeifa, from 2015 to date, close to one thousand kilometers of rail lines have been constructed, while billions of dollars have been invested and a lot is still going on.
He said Nigerian Railway is currently partnering with Sub nationals like Lagos, Kano and Plateau States as the focus of the administration is to connect all economic corridors by rail line.
According to him, the current administration, is focus on moving forward, as all Ports will be connected by rail to facilitate movement of goods from the ports to all parts of the country.
"We are now having increased movement from the ports, especially on Lagos axis."
He noted that Freight services generate more revenue than passenger services and that is why the government is committed to linking all the ports by rail.
"Our down times are over and from 2023 to date, obstructions have been removed which has led to State Governments and Private sectors coming in."
He said in the last ten years, a lot has happened to change the fortunes of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, regretting that it has taken a lot of time for the corporation to allign with standard gauge
Port-Harcourt is already linked to Aba and the President has assured that the line will move to Enugu and beyond. PH line will also be connected to the Onne and Port-Harcourt Ports.
He disclosed that from today, Abuja-Kaduna route is returning to its weekend trips, as previous challenges had limited it to just two trips
He assured that the Corporation is on the right track and have put the past behind it and moving forward.
Speaking on security measures giving problems associated with security in the past, Dr. Opeifa said all lines are now safe along all the corridors and the corporation will soon introduce electronic systems
He assured that Armed security men are on ground and onboard the trains and technology is also deployed to monitor the trains.
"We are restoring all our lines to stop vandalism. We are also engaging security men from communities along our corridors, protection of railway materials should be everybody's business".
Speaking on financing, he said
Since his assumption of office, money has been judiciously spent and his administration is ready to account for every kobo.
On corruption alleged perpetrated by several top officials, he assured that his administration is cooperating with anti graft agencies and he can't speak more because it will be subjudice to speak on an issue before the courts.
"We are concentrating on making sure that Nigerians benefit from every kobo invested by government."
He noted that Railway development is highly capital intensive and there are multiple approaches through which they are funded throughout the world. 'All over the world and in Nigeria, train remains the safest means of transportation."
Comments
Post a Comment