The Federal Government has initiated the commencement of smooth and secure train operations in the South-South and South-East regions of Nigeria.
The promise of seamless train services and enhanced security for users was made by the Federal Government during the flag-off ceremony for the first phase of the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Rail line, specifically from Port Harcourt to Aba in Abia State.
Senator Said Alkali, the Minister of Transportation, expressed confidence in the reliability of the locomotives, stating that rigorous testing had been conducted to mitigate any potential breakdowns along the line.
Describing the scope of the Eastern Corridor Narrow Gauge Line, Minister Alkali noted that it covers five geopolitical zones of the country, with the completion of the first phase marking a significant milestone. He underscored the importance of this project in connecting major cities and facilitating economic activities across the regions.
The Minister hinted at plans to explore the possibility of retrofitting locomotives from diesel to compressed natural gas (CNG) to reduce transportation costs, showcasing the government’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in the sector.
“This line has been test-run for about one week now and we have no issue so by the grace of God, we will not have any issue of any locomotive breaking down on the road,” Minister Alkali assured.
