The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa, has said funding from the Federal Government and the weather will determine when the reconstruction of the Eastern rail line will be completed.
Opeifa disclosed this during his “Familiarisation Tour To The Eastern District, Enugu” on Thursday.
Acknowledging that the lack of reconstruction affected the eastern rail line, which was once the best and vibrant rail corridor, Opeifa said the Federal Government was determined to make sure the corridor was back to working condition.
“We are hopeful that it will be done before 2027 as the president is desirous to deliver it and it will be a good thing for it to be ready before 2027.
“I can tell you, activities will begin in them soon. Eastern rail will come back very soon but there is no timeline as the timeline is based on weather and fund releases,” he said.
He added that there was existing contract to repair the line from Port Harcourt to Enugu.
“There are plans to get the track rolling from Port Harcourt to Onne and from Aba to Enugu and that plan is ongoing. It is a funding issue, but it has been resolved,” Opeifa said.
The Managing Director also debunked the report that work on the track was diverted from Eastern District to Gombe State.
He however, explained that a contract could not be moved from one place to another, describing it as a “financial offence”.
On the sales of NRC property in Enugu, the NRC boss said Railway Properties Management Company did not sell land but leased it out to generate revenue.
“However, when it is grabbed by wrong people, then, it becomes an issue and we will move to recover them”.
He pointed out that the corporation would demolish any building on rail line, warning individuals involved to remove them.
On demolition of some of the training schools by the Enugu State Government, the MD revealed that discussions were ongoing to resolve it.
He assured staff on Grade Level six that the training schools across the nation would be brought back to life for the officers to upgrade their level, decrying that it was inhuman treatment for a staff to remain in a particular level for many years.
He commended the Abia and the Enugu State Governments as well as the Nigeria Police Force for protecting rail facilities in the zone.
It will be recalled that the rail project, flagged off by former President Muhammadu Buhari in March 2021, was to be funded by 85 per cent foreign loan and 15 per cent counterpart contribution of the federal government, with a delivery timeline of two years.
