The Tinubu Stakeholders Forum (TSF) has described the completion and formal handover of the Port Harcourt-Aba section of the Eastern narrow gauge railway project as an affirmation of the readiness of the President Bola Tinubu administration to complete the project.
It said in a statement signed by its Chairman Ahmad Sajoh and Secretary Afolabi Josiah that it also marked a key milestone in the broader effort to rejuvenate Nigeria’s railway infrastructure.
“We commend the Federal Government for its continued progress on the Port Harcourt-Aba section of the Eastern Narrow-Gauge railway rehabilitation and reconstruction project, as the completed assets have officially been handed over to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
“This for us is a key milestone in the broader effort to rejuvenate a project that will, on completion, will link no less than 14 states including the South East States to the Maiduguri Rail line.
“The Port Harcourt-Aba section, nearly 63 kilometres is a critical part of thr larger project.
“It is worth noting that the Eastern Narrow-Gauge Railway Project which began under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021 has been a long-standing initiative to connect Nigeria’s key regions and improving trade and mobility.
“The Eastern Railway line was originally built between 1913 and 1916 but was extended to Kafanchan in 1927 and further expanded to Maiduguri by 1964.
“However the tracks fell into disrepair over the years, and a series of restoration efforts began in the early 2000s and most recently, the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) was tasked with laying new tracks from Port Harcourt to Aba, part of the wider effort to upgrade the entire Eastern Railway corridor.
“This segment includes 62.8 kilometers of rehabilitated subgrade, the laying of rail for the main line, and the reconstruction of bridges and culverts.
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“Now that it has been completed, the rail project is expected to foster improved socioeconomic conditions between the South South region and the South East by facilitating faster, safer, and more affordable transportation.
“We see the completion of that section as a testament to the Tinubu administration’s dedication to modernizing Nigeria’s infrastructure, despite historical challenges and misrepresentation,” the group explained.
TSF also shed more light on the project cost.
It said: “We however wish to correct the misleading reports in a segment of the media regarding the $3 billion cost. This figure pertains to the entire Port Harcourt-Maiduguri project, which spans over 2,000 kilometers and involves multiple phases of rehabilitation, including the Port Harcourt-Aba segment.
“Nigeria is expected to provide about 15% of the cost of the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the rail line while the outstanding balance will be coming from a syndicate of Chinese financiers
“But we also need to add that the cost of the Port Harcourt-Aba section alone is significantly lower than the reported figure and is in line with similar infrastructure projects across the country.
“We believe it is essential to present accurate information to the public, particularly regarding infrastructure projects that have the potential to drive national development.
“We urge media outlets to ensure clarity in their reporting, especially when it comes to figures and scope.”
The group added that it stands with the Federal Government in its effort to keep to the terms of of its pact with the people and will continue to amplify accurate and vital information for the public’s benefit.
