The Niger State Government is to partner with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to improve rail transportation and reduce dependence of roads for logistics.
The Niger State Governor Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, made this known when he led top government officials to the NRC headquarters in Lagos on Monday.
Bello said the visit was to see how Niger State would partner with NRC to decongest the roads.
“This is the second time I will be visiting the NRC Headquarters to establish relationships to improve rail transportation especially cargo movement as well as passengers within the State.
“We are here to partner with NRC because, we have various area in Niger State where is not motorable and thankfully, we have train track.
“Farmers find it difficult to transport their produce, I believe once we are able to provide access to their farm, it will make them to improve their goods at a cheaper coast.
“The second objective of our visit is to encourage the use of railway so that, we reduce pressure on our roads.
“Now we have trucks carrying more than 30 to 90 tons, no roads in Nigeria can survive that, “Bello said.
He said that before now, most of the cargo been imported were been transported by railway adding that there was no reason not to replicate cargo movement by train.
Bello said that the railway transportation between Minna and Kaduna had started operation adding that there was need to improve on frequency and purchase additional coaches to improve rail transportation in the state.
He said that NRC would be in charge of the rail operations while the Niger State Government would facilitate in terms of maintenance of the locomotive and wagons for quick delivery.
Bello who also presented a draft of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to the Management of NRC said he was looking forward for the signing of the draft.
Speaking on the bomb explosion that occurred between Kaduna/Abuja railway line said the explosion was unfortunate incident adding that it would not stop them from establishing railway in the state.
Also speaking, the Managing Director Nigerian Railway Corporation, Mr Fidet Okhiria, said the cooperation was to partner with the Niger State Government on Public Private Partnership (PPP) arraignment in ensuring delivery of frequent services.
“The Niger State Government want NRC to deliver frequent services from Kaduna to Minna, also from Baro to Minna and Akerri to Minna on both passengers and freight services so that we will be able to move freight from Lagos to Kaduna and Kano.
“The establishment of freight and passenger movement along the above corridor will reduce the cost of road maintenance and Federal Government cannot do it alone. So the partnership is a welcome development,” Okhiria said.
He commended the efforts of some States who partnered with the NRC to improve rail transportation within their States such as Niger, Osun and pleaded with the others State to key into rail operation in moving goods from one state to another.
Okhiria said investigation has begun on the cause of the bomb explosion on the tracks of the Nigerian Railway Corporation which affected the engine and the tank of the train, adding that no stone would be left unturned to make the railway safe for all.