Extend Rail Lines to other geopolitical zones, Reps tell FG

The House of Representatives on Thursday urged the Federal Government to extend the existing rail lines to link the South-South, South-East, North-Central, North-West and North-East geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

This decision was reached following the approval of a motion presented by Honorable Marcus Onobun.

In his lead debate, Hon. Onobun observed that rail transportation offers huge benefits to socio-economic growth due to its capacity to convey a large number of people and huge volumes of goods from one place to another.

“The House also notes that as a result of the low-risk factor of the Rail Transportation System, the immediate past administration of General Muhammadu Buhari designed a blueprint to ensure the completion of abandoned rail projects as well as commence new ones.

“The House is aware that further to the blueprint, the 168-kilometre Abuja-Kaduna rail track was completed and put to use, and the 157-kilometre Lagos-Ibadan as well as the Warri-Ajaokuta rail of 327 kilometres were completed.

“The House is also aware that Section 15(1a) of the Nigerian Railway Corporation Act mandates the Nigerian Railway Corporation to carry out any expansions or extension thereof and any new railway and to provide all reasonable facilities for carriage by the corporation of passengers and goods.

“The House is concerned that as a result of the lack of non-provision of rail lines linking the South-South to the South-East to the North-Central and North-West geo Political Zones, transportation of huge volumes of goods and passengers are hampered, creating avoidable and unnecessary pressure on the already failing road infrastructure, with the attendant gridlocks, and waste of human and economic resources.

“The House is cognizant that the construction of a 269.12km Abuja-Baro-Itakpe rail, with branch lines of Jakura-Lokoja and Agbahor-Warri City will not only bring ease of movement for people and goods but will also enhance socio-economic growth of the country as a whole.

To this end, the House mandated its Committee on Land Transport to ensure compliance.

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