The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa, has reiterated the commitment of the federal government to the sustenance of modern train development.
He said this while playing host to the Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (Engr Mrs Abimbola Akinajo), who led top management of the agency on a courtesy visit.
Opeifa said the Bola Tinubu administration would in the coming month unveil its plans on the development of railway infrastructure.
He disclosed further that the Federal Government under the Renewed Hope Agenda would put its full weight behind all state governments willing to develop intra-city rail networks from the national rail corridor in their state.
Opeifa lauded the Lagos State Government which through LAMATA has been operating the Red and the Blue train lines, based on the licenses issued by the Corporation, adding that LAMATA is proving to the world that nothing is impossible.
“The Blue line is an example that nothing is impossible. That is a line that runs exclusively on electricity and LAMATA has been able to keep it in operation for two years non-stop. In the next five years a lot of things will change in this country and soon, Nigerians will be able to even enjoy a new generation rail system. “In our generation, we shall be able to operate all modes of modern rail systems comparable to anywhere in the world,” Opeifa added.
The Managing Director who lamented that Nigeria built about 3,500 kilometres of rail tracks in 60 years and stopped for another 60 years, said this administration under its Renewed Hope Agenda is determined to put a stop to that and ensure that it sustain massive investments on rail transportation infrastructure.
He said as facilitator of trade and business, the corporation will continue to give priority to areas that would lessen the burden of transportation on the people, reduce poverty, and lower the rising inflation, adding that he looked forward to the time when all states of the federation will be able to run train Services round the clock, which would lessen the burden on the NRC and allow it to concentrate on freight movements.
He disclosed that he would continue to give Lagos State and other federating states expeditious approvals and partner with those interested in investing in rail developments.
He disclosed that four more states – Plateau, Niger, Bauchi, and Ogun States – are at various stages of readiness to join Lagos State as train-friendly states.
Opeifa, who was excited to receive the LAMATA team, said as a Lagosian, he is determined to push the corporation to continue to support all LAMATA’s initiatives, adding that with him at the helm of affairs at NRC, Lagos should consider the corporation as a ready and willing partner.
In her own remarks, LAMATA’s Managing Director Mrs Abimbola Akinajo said her team had considered it necessary to pay the new NRC Managing Director a visit because of the cordial relationship between the Corporation and LAMATA.
She said LAMATA is happy that a Lagosian and a member of the LAMATA family is now at the helm of affairs at the NRC.
“We are happy about your appointment and we are looking forward to more fruitful working relationship with the NRC. We are happy that both the NRC and LAMATA are driven by the passion to make rail transportation a viable alternative for Nigerians.
She said Lagos State has continued to make judicious use of the licences given to the state for both the Red and Blue Line as well as the track access approval granted it on the Red Line.
“We decided to pay you a visit and warmly welcome you back into the transportation family, knowing that under you, the Nigerian Railway Corporation would continue to play a major role in Lagos State’s transportation initiatives, especially relating to the rail development,” Mrs Akinajo said.
