The federal government of Nigeria has said in the nearest future, travel time is expected to be cut by half using rail network across the country.
TheNewsGuru reports the FG made this known on Friday, stressing that the originally envisioned freight-only rail line, is now being reconfigured into a passenger and freight rail line, to form the central line of Nigeria’s national rail network.
“The 327km standard-gauge rail line is to link Itakpe in Kogi State to Ajaokuta and then on to Warri, Delta State (Itakpe to Ajaokuta, 50km; Ajaokuta to Warri, 277km)
“Conceived in the 1980s, construction commenced in 1987. Subsequent administrations failed to complete it and put it to use. President Buhari takes it as a priority project and is committed to completing it by 2019.
“Originally envisioned as a freight-only line, to link key industries and ports in Nigeria’s iron ore and steel producing belt. Now being reconfigured into a Passenger and Freight rail line, to form the Central Line of Nigeria’s National Rail Network.
“There are plans to in the near future extend the line to reach Lokoja and Abuja, where it will connect with the Kaduna-Abuja Rail Line.
“When completed, it will halve travel time between the Niger Delta and the Northern part of Nigeria, as well as open up several towns and villages along the rail corridor.
FG expects to halve travel time with national rail network
The federal government of Nigeria has said in the nearest future, travel time is expected to be cut by half using rail network across the country.
TheNewsGuru reports the FG made this known on Friday, stressing that the originally envisioned freight-only rail line, is now being reconfigured into a passenger and freight rail line, to form the central line of Nigeria’s national rail network.
“The 327km standard-gauge rail line is to link Itakpe in Kogi State to Ajaokuta and then on to Warri, Delta State (Itakpe to Ajaokuta, 50km; Ajaokuta to Warri, 277km)
“Conceived in the 1980s, construction commenced in 1987. Subsequent administrations failed to complete it and put it to use. President Buhari takes it as a priority project and is committed to completing it by 2019.
“Originally envisioned as a freight-only line, to link key industries and ports in Nigeria’s iron ore and steel producing belt. Now being reconfigured into a Passenger and Freight rail line, to form the Central Line of Nigeria’s National Rail Network.
“There are plans to in the near future extend the line to reach Lokoja and Abuja, where it will connect with the Kaduna-Abuja Rail Line.
“When completed, it will halve travel time between the Niger Delta and the Northern part of Nigeria, as well as open up several towns and villages along the rail corridor.
“12 Stations in all, across Kogi, Edo and Delta States. Agbor in Edo State will be the central hub of the line, home to the biggest passenger station, as well as a Railway Village. Agbor is 60km from Asaba, 70km from Benin and 75km from Onitsha,” the FG stated.