Reviving Nigeria Railway

By

Mercy Obaleye

 

Railway service was the major means of transportation in Nigeria since the country’s independence in 1960 to the 1980s.It was much more convenient and cheaper for commuters and haulage purposes. There were so many rail lines linking big cities across the country with commercial activities in its major routes.

 

It was in the military era that the railways lost its glorious past as Nigerians took to other means of transportation through road, sky and water in the riverine areas. The recent determination of the federal government’s towards the revitalization of the railway was a welcome development. President Olusegun Obasanjo not only came up with the idea of a modernized train but has since signed a $8.3billion agreement contract for the construction of railway line with the Chinese government. The planned project of railway modernization was signed in two tranches which includes the main contract covering the first rail that would connect the nation’s economic capital Lagos to the largest commercial city in the north, Kano which would be concluded in five years by a Chinese firm and an Italian consultancy outfit. 

 

At the signing of the contract President Obasanjo said the project is a part of an integrated transportation system for the country covering land, air and maritime transport. He added that the construction of the new standard gauge track north-south was only the firth phase of a modernization programme that would cover two major longitudinal lines. The second would link Port-Harcourt and Jos and another would link all the 36 states’ capitals in Nigeria.

 

Several factors must have led the sudden interest of the Government on the project. Nigeria has lately experienced series of plane crashes where it loses countless lives and property. The air transport is feared as the fastest and the most dangerous route to human destruction considering the calibre of personalities that had perished in the incidents. With the negative signal from the aviation sector, the rich are scared of using their money to buy death.

 

Road transportation was originally planned to ‘feed’ the railway but it has so far captured a larger part of total transportation business in the country. Though it may have added advantage over the railways because of its degree of mobility and cost effective infrastructure, it has its ups and downs. As quicker and flexible the road transportation may be, there are constant risk of accident, bad road and attack from armed robbers. In fact most of criminal activities are undertaken through the road transportation

 

On the other hand, Ports are essential to sea trade in exportation and importation of goods through ship, but marine businesses are restricted to continental shelf and therefore the goods cannot be ferried easily into the hinterland. Similarly, communities that travel on boats have to contend with the militancy of pirates and restless youth.

 

 

Going by the limitations above of other means of transportation, it is unfortunate that railway has not played important roles in Nigeria as it has in other countries even in countries like South Africa and India where their social and economic activities have improved tremendously through the railway services.

 

The revival of railways service which is more protective and affordable would further reduce the rates of road accident, plane crash and armed attacks amongst other negative vices. It would also improve efficient service delivery on movement of goods and services like petroleum products, food items, animals, spare parts and bulky materials (mails) amongst others. There is other side of sightseeing that serves as another source of tourist attraction for passengers/travelers especially for the inquisitive ones who wish to know more on our environments. While it is commendable the effort of the Government to reconstruct the abandoned railways and its terminals, there is the need for consciousness on the side of policy makers and the citizens to make this lofty project a reality. Adequate security must be provided while other social services and incentive that would encourage the patronage are put in place.

 

While the firms involved in the construction of new rail lines embark on the project, it will be appropriate if the Minister of transport or the chairman Nigeria Railways Corporation would encourage members of executive councils, legislature, and judiciary at all tiers to patronage the service to be provided when it comes on board. After all it is easier to provide luxury and official amenities in the train than other means of transport. This may include television set with satellite station, bathroom, library, drinking bar, living and bedroom. In fact, it may be luxury on the land.

 

 

Mercy Bukky Obaleye

Dept of Accountancy

Federal Polytechnic Nassarawa