By Raphael Ekpang
Considering the fact that it’s the longest and one of the oldest line in the country, the Senate on Wednesday called on the federal government to upgrade the Eastern Rail Line -traversing Port-Harcourt in South South to Maiduguri in the North East region of the country from Narrow Guage Rail to Standard Guage Rail.
This, sequel to a motion sponsored by Senator Umeh Victor Chukwunonyelu (Anambra central) titled, ” Urgent need to upgrade the Eastern Rail Line (traversing Port Harcourt -Enugu-Maiduguri) from Narrow Guage Rail to Standard Guage Rail”
However, the motion enjoyed the co-aponsorship of about 31 Senators across four geopolitical regions of the country.
Sen. Umeh while moving the motion on the floor of the Red Chambers said, the Eastern Rail Line serve four Geopolitical zones including; South South, South East, North Central and North East, therefore he said, a functional railway system in the country will help to reduce vehicular traffic on our roads and save same from constant dilapidation.
Core Reporters report that the Eastern Rail Line is the only direct link from Maiduguri to Port Harcourt Deep Sea Port for export processing activities.
According to Sen. Umeh, in 2017 FG resolved to modernize and standardize the Nigeria Railway System by building Standard Guage Rail Lines and the acquisition of modern coaches both for passengera movement and goods across the country.
He recalled that also in 2017, the federal government borrowed 56.8 billion US Dollars for the standardization and modernization of the NRS.
Umeh noted that in April 2022, FG awarded a failed contract worth 3.2billion US Dollars for rehabilitation and reconstruction of Narrow Guage Rail Line instead of Standard Guage Rail Line from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri which he said has been vandalised, abandoned and taken over by weeds.
The Anambra State born federal lawmaker expressed disappointment with the FG saying that, “not only that the project failed, but the Chinese contractor partnering with the FG on the project who were to provide eighty five percent of the expected funding programme abandoned the project without injecting funds.
Sen. Umeh added that the inclusion of the Eastern Rail Line in the current modernization and standardization programme will enhance sustainable socioeconomic relationships across the country, and also promote national integration and ultimately boost the economy and give a sense of belonging to all
Meanwhile, the Senate also called on the FG to suspend the purported planned rehabilitation of the outdated Narrow Guage Rail from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri.
Also, urged FG to make arrangements for proper funding of the construction of Standard Guage Rail in the Eastern Rail Line and acquisition of modern coaches.
The Senate however, mandated the Committee on Land Transport to ensure that all the four geopolitical zones within the Eastern Rail Corridor benefit from the ongoing Railways standardization and modernization programme of the federal government.
