cheapest, convenient and fastest means of
transportation in most parts of the world;
conveying humans and bulk goods to their
destinations in record time.
This means of transportation was common in
Nigeria between the 50's 60's and early 70's
and thus promoting commerce in more ways
than one, while conveying goods easily to
designated locations with an appreciable
precision.
It was a common sight to see traders
shouting out their merchandise at railway
terminals, even as the rush and roar that
heralds the arrival of train coaches in a
terminus was a spectacle to behold.
Unfortunately, this once vibrant sub-sector
that contributes to the growth of our
economy became moribund and abandoned
by successive administration.
The flag-off of the Enugu-Port Harcourt-Enugu
intercity train service at the railway terminus
along station Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers
State capital last week by Vice President
Namadi Sambo who represented President
Goodluck Jonathan counted as an exciting
reminder of how good things used to be.
For an event that was scheduled for 10am, a
large crowd of persons, including dignitaries
were already at the Port Harcourt railway
terminus before 9am, some of whom were
presumably doubting Thomas's who scarcely
believe that the rail lines could function
again.
The arrival of Vice President Namadi Sambo,
was greeted with a tumultuous welcome,
even as he acknowledged cheers from a sea
of heads.
The colour paintings of the eight couch train
service, including yellow, red and the
greenwhite- green national symbol
combinations formed an attractive spectacle,
even as Vice President Sambo led other
dignitaries to a symbolic ferry in the train to
the excitement and applause of the crowd.
Speaking before flaggingoff the inter city
train service, Sambo said the Jonathan
administration has kept faith with Nigerians
by fulfilling his election promises of reviving
the railway sub-sector.
Stating that the federal government was
determined to transform Nigeria through the
implementation of people-oriented projects,
he said given priority to infrastructural
development.
He described the rail rehabilitation project as
a demonstration of President Jonathan's
transformation agenda. Sambo pointed out
that President Jonathan was interested in
providing qualitative and transformational
change and added that the rehabilitation of
railway transport remained a landmark
achievement of the current administration.
Describing the railway interchange project as
significant in service delivery, the Vice
President stated that the new development in
the rail sub-sector would reduce the transport
challenges faced by Nigerians.
He said, "Our administration has given top
priority to infrastructural development, one of
which is the railway sector as the component
of transformation agenda of President
Jonathan. The Federal Government initiated
and articulated the strategic plans for the
railway development in Nigeria, which has
suffered neglect in the past 30 years.
"We are determined to transform Nigeria to a
very viable height. We have kept faith with
the Nigerian people in keeping all our
electoral promises. We are gradually
implementing our projects that will transform
the lives of Nigeria people.
With the continued support of Nigerians, we
shall see all those projects through. This flag-
off of the Enugu-Port Harcourt-Enugu
Intercity, he said, "I am glad that this will
extend to other parts of the country by
January. The ongoing modernization of the
rail system is progressing steadily," Sambo
said.
Speaking earlier, Minister of Transport,
Senator Idris Umah said the rehabilitation of
the lines which spans from PH to Maiduguri
was significant at this time in the nation's
history. Umah further said that the track have
been certified by the Government Inspectors
of Railways (GIR) and therefore 'fit for
movement of trains," saying the development
was significant for the entire country.
He disclosed that a provincial contract has
been signed for construction of cluster
railway which starts from Lagos-Benin, to
Sapele-Warri-Yenagoa-PH up to Uyo.The
Minister further disclosed that another line
from Benin to Onitsha, would be created,
saying, "As soon discussions with the various
institutions in China, the project will
commence."
He explained that in a bid to link up the entire
country with the train service, the necessary
studies and assessment have been carried
out in seven major corridors across the
country. In his welcome remark, Chairman,
Board of Directors, NRC, Alhaji Bamanga
Tukur described the event as historic, saying,
"It is a day that the wishes and aspirations of
people of this geo-political zone (South South-
South East) have come to fulfilment.
Expressing gratitude to the President and his
vice for their commitment to reviving the
railways to meet the challenges of the
nation's economy, Tukur said the federal
government through SURE-P has ensured the
revitalization of the Eastern rail line.
In his address, Managing Director and Chief
Executive of the Nigerian Railway
Corporation, Mr. Adeseyi Sijuwade, stated
that the Eastern line rehabilitation was
challenging as a result of the extent of its
dilapidation. Sijuwade said, "You may recall
the completion of the Western line and the
resumption of train services from Lagos to
Kano in December 2012.
"The Eastern line rehabilitation has been
much more challenging in view of the extent
of its dilapidation," he said, adding that all
damaged structures have been
reconstructed, the mountain of refuse cleared
and the entire track rehabilitated preparatory
to the flag-off.
Giving an insight on the train will operate, the
MD, NRC said, "The Enugu-Port Harcourt-
Enugu Intercity Passenger Service will run
three return trips per week; Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays.
"The train will depart Enugu at 7am prompt
and will stop at five intermediate stations;
Ovim, which is densely populated passenger
station; Umahia-capital of Abia State, Omoba,
Aba, where we have the famous Ariara
Market, and Imo River, which is the boundary
between Abia and Rivers State," he said.
Continuing, Sijuwade explained that "On
arrival in Port Harcourt, the train will wait for
about an hour to two, and commence the
return journey back to Enugu.
The train will depart Port Harcourt at 3pm and
arrive Enugu same day later in the evening."
Sijuwade further that the corporation intends
to commence the Port Harcourt Urban Mass
Transit Service during the first quarter of
2015 a development that attracted a loud
applause from residents of the crude oil and
gas rich city.
"This (the mass transit) will drastically reduce
congestion along Aba Road as the service will
originate from Port Harcourt through Diobu
Market Halt, Diobu Halt, D/Line, Trans- Amadi,
Elelenwo, Kom-kom and terminate at Imo
River station.
"We will also be commencing the popular
Enugu-EhaAmufu Train Service passing
through Emene, Timber-shed, Ogbaho and
terminate at Eha-Amufu. "Regarding freight
services, we will be commencing Container
traffic from PH to major cities along the
Eastern line which include movement of PZ
Soup products from Aba and Grand cereal
products from Jos," Sijuwade added.
He therefore thanked the Jonathan led apex
government for his untiring efforts in
rebuilding and modernising the rail transport
system. Briefing newsmen before the project
commissioning, the Chairman of the Subsidy
Reinvestment and Empowerment
Programme, Sure-P, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai
(rtd), said the successful completion and
official flag off of the railway line was a proof
of the commitment on the part of the Federal
Government to infrastructural development.
Agwai said the reintroduction of railway
system of transportation in Nigeria will
enhance safer transportation and boost
commercial activities across the country,
even as he recalled the beauty of rail
transportation with a sense of nostalgia that
"The rail transportation was one of the most
convenient means of movement and
integration of all zones of the country."
In his message of goodwill, which was rather
instructive, Abia State Governor, Chief
Theodor Orji said the Nigeria Civil War
(1967-1970) partly disrupted the railways
system, describing the flag-off as historic.
"The railway by-passes Abia State and passes
through Enugu. We are extremely happy that
this development (flag-off) is happening
before us.
"Those of you who were born before 1970,
you will realize the importance of railway
system in our transportation system. It was
the major carrier of goods and services from
the North to the South and from the South to
the North. "People travelled safely,
comfortably and cheaply.
But the war came and disrupted everything.
It is on record that all government since then,
it is the government of President Jonathan
that has revived the railways and is moving it
forward.
It is this government that taking the rail from
one state to another, with services that are
affecting us positively,"Orji said.
Wounding off the goodwill messages, Deputy
Managing Director of Eser West Africa
Limited, one of the contracting firm handling
the railway rehabilitation project, Mr. Joan
Adologu expressed happiness that it was
handing over the PH-Enugu Railway to the
NRC.
Posted By David Aniemeka
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