Paucity Of Funds Grounds Revival Of 30 Locomotives – NRC

By Folarin Kehinde

The Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa has stated that the corporation has the capacity to revive as many as 30 locomotives, but the continued lack of adequate funding remains a significant challenge to realizing its full potential.

Speaking during a monitored televised interview,  Dr. Opeifa detailed how the corporation has successfully restored a number of locomotives, many of which were decommissioned in the past. 

These include locomotives acquired during the Yar'Adua administration that have now been fully restored and are operational. 

He emphasized that the NRC’s engineering team is highly capable, and with sufficient funding, the corporation can restore up to 30 locomotives that would significantly improve the country’s rail transport system.

"In the last one to two years we have revived so many of those locomotives to work, our engineers and artisans are capable and competent.

"Those gotten during Yaradua's administration has been revived and if funds are there we can revive as many as 30 locomotives that will work perfectly.". he said.

Dr. Opeifa highlighted some of the key successes achieved by NRC's engineering team, including the revival of a locomotive that was bombed during an attack in Kaduna stating that despite significant damage, both the locomotive and the tracks were restored by NRC engineers. 

He noted the Warri-Itakpe rail line, which had been affected by an earlier incident, has now been put back into service but stated that  the path to full restoration and modernization of the rail network remains obstructed by a critical shortage of funding. 

According to Dr. Opeifa, NRC’s annual budget stands at approximately 11 billion Naira, an amount he described as insufficient to meet the needs of the corporation, especially as it works on ambitious modernization and expansion projects.

“The 11 billion Naira allocated annually is far below what is needed to maintain and expand a modern rail system.

“Given that we are in the process of rehabilitating the narrow gauge lines and transitioning to standard gauge systems, the funding gap is a serious limitation.”Dr. Opeifa said.

As the corporation moves forward with its modernization and rehabilitation efforts, Dr. Opeifa reiterated the critical need for increased funding. 

He noted that the funds required to restore the railway to its full potential are far beyond the current allocation, and without additional financial support, Nigeria's railway system will struggle to meet the demands of a rapidly growing economy.

“We need a more substantial investment in our rail infrastructure.

“Without the right funding, we cannot achieve the modernization we aspire to. But with the right support, we can restore and expand the railway network to drive economic growth.”. he stated.

Meanwhile, Dr. Opeifa stressed that revitalizing the narrow gauge is a priority for the corporation stating that with  this revival, the corporation aims to reconnect major commercial hubs like Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, and Zamfara, which will, in turn, bolster economic activity across the nation.

“The narrow gauge was the engine room of our prosperity for many years.

 “We are working hard to bring it back. When that happens, we will be able to move goods more efficiently from Lagos to the north, and this will restore the vibrancy of the old railway days.”.Dr. Opeifa noted.

Looking forward, Dr. Opeifa revealed that NRC is transitioning beyond its initial 25-year strategic plan, and is now adopting the more ambitious “02520” plan, which will guide the corporation’s future projects until the Ministry of Transportation finalizes a new strategic master plan.