Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, says the extension of the Port Harcourt – Aba railway project to Enugu is already receiving attention as one of the top priority projects of the Federal Government .
He made that known on Thursday, when he led a delegation of senior management staff of the corporation on a courtesy visit to the Governor of Enugu state, ,Dr. Peter Mbah in Government House,Enugu
Dr. Opeifo who said they were in the state to reaffirm his Management’s commitment to fostering cooperation with Enugu state government in area of mutual interest, disclosed that the railway project had been getting a fair share of the national budget and will soon be completed.
Pix: Gov Mbah (L) Dr. Opeifo( R)
He commended Governor Mbah for his transformational initiatives, saying the governor’s investment in infrastructure was already reflecting on the people’s standard of living.
The newly appointed Managing Director pledged continuous synergy with Enugu state to revamp the Port Harcourt-Aba-Enugu rail line on the Eastern Corridor since there were increasing demands for it by the people, who were mostly into business and trading.
“The whole essence of this visit is to deepen our relationship and collaboration with the state government under the administration of Governor Peter Mbah. I also want you to know that the Nigerian Railway Corporation and the Enugu City shared a common history,” he said .
He urged the government and people of Enugu state to take advantage of the Eastern Line, once complete
Dr. Opeifo appealed to the governor to strengthen security around the Nigerian Railway Corporation’s assets, which had come under vandalism by notorious scraps dealers.
Pix: Gov Mbah (m)with the NRC teams
Fielding questions from Newsmen, the Managing Director said Enugu State ‘under Governor Mbah was doing what the Corporation was watching out for in terms of the enabling infrastructure such as the transport terminals that the Corporation was poised to take advantage of.
“Enugu State is doing what the Nigerian Railway is looking forth to. The building of road transport terminals by the administration is what we are trying to take advantage of in our railway corridors. I came to discuss about it. The discussion has been on. So I only came to affirm it.
“I have eyes, I can see. I have ears, I can hear. So, when I entered this city, I see myself the difference this administration is making. I can hear from those who live here for longer.
“Seriously speaking, this is a different kind of government. He is a business man. He knows what he wants and he doesn’t see obstacles or challenges. He just faces what he wants to do and that is why you can see him achieving all these.
“He told me that what we call much is actually that little, saying that many, many more will come and I believe him,” Opeifa said.
He said President Bola Tinubu had already issued a directive to the Corporation to fashion out mutual relationship with Enugu state and work out initiatives that would engender a seamless transportation for economic prosper
Responding, Governor Mbah assured collaboration with the Nigerian Railway. He said Enugu state had an inextricable history with the NRC dating back to 1916: when coal was discovered and the subsequent shipping of the coal to Port Harcourt in 1918, using the rail transport.
He expressed delight over the efforts of the Management to revitalise the NRC and restore it to its glorious days, recalling that the revitalisation of the Eastern Railway Corridor was one of the demands made by South East leaders and also approved by President Bola Tinubu during his visit to Enugu earlier in the year.
Governor Mbah said his administration had plan to build an intra-rail system that would also link the major lines by the Nigerian Railway Corporation.
He disclosed that South East states were working towards creating a common market, which required the provision of seamless rail system to fast-track trades.
The Governor assured the Managing Director of the state government ‘s readiness to collaborate with the NRC. He promised to support the corporation in the area of protection of its facilities against vandalism and encroachment , support to the NRC’s clinic to function optimally and support also to the Corporation’s police in the area of mobility..
Author: Maureen Ikpeama