SWDC clarifies misconceptions about rail project

THE South-West Development Commission (SWDC) has clarified that its rail licence is for operation on existing rail tracks, not to construct new ones in South-West Nigeria.

Some Nigerians had misinterpreted the licence to be an approval to build new rail tracks across the South-West.

The commission, in a statement on Tuesday, acknowledged the public interest and excitement that greeted the grant of a provisional licence, but clarified that it is to only operate passenger and freight rail services on existing rail tracks.

The statement read: “The South-West Development Commission (SWDC) acknowledges the public interest and excitement following the grant of a provisional licence to operate passenger and freight rail services in the South-West.

“We note that the licence has been misconstrued in some quarters as authorisation to construct new rail infrastructure. This is incorrect.

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“The provisional rail operating and track access licence issued by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) authorises SWDC to provide services on existing narrow and standard gauge rail corridors in the region.

“The licence does not extend to the construction of new rail tracks.

“This forms the foundation of the South-West Rail, Agro-Industrial and Logistics (SW-RAIL) platform. SW-RAIL is designed to optimise existing infrastructure to cut transportation costs, improve logistics efficiency, strengthen agro-industrial development, enhance passenger mobility, and create jobs across the region.”