The Federal Government of Nigeria, FGN has concluded plans to announce new railway line policy that would connect major cities across the country.
This was disclosed by the Kayode Opeifa, Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa, on Saturday.
Opeifa stated that the Federal Government will soon announce a major railway expansion plan, with new lines connecting multiple cities across the country.
The MD made this disclosure while speaking during ‘Sunrise Daily’, a programme on Channels Television.
According to him, the new railway lines will come up in more cities “than we have ever seen”.
He said, “States are even getting grants from the National Government to develop their rail line and Lagos State is using track access on red line.
“Kaduna is coming out very soon. Niger is supporting us on the narrow gauge, except for this last Mokwa flooding that disrupted it. The plan was to take rail, this festival, three days ago to Minna and Ilorin and Offa. So, they are supporting on that.”
Opeifa pointed to the Ogun State’s rail link and highlighted new projects, including the Jos-Bukuru line in Plateau State.
“That is because this Government supported the removal of rail from exclusive list to concurrent list. So, State Governments not only now can develop rail on their own, they are also being supported by grants,” he said.
“In this current budget, 400 billion was allocated to support States. I know some States have benefited.
“What this Government is doing is to make sure that the burden is no longer on the National Government. However, the National Government owes a duty to every Nigerian to connect the cities,” the MD said.
Opeifa added that Federal Government is developing rail infrastructure across regions. He stated that plans are almost ready for South-west and progress in Southeast and Northeast.