Public use of the Port Harcourt-Aba rail line for commercial train operations was inaugurated by the Federal Government on Tuesday.
The launch of commercial services along the 62-kilometre Port-Harcourt-Aba corridor took place at the railway station in Port Harcourt, with the Minister of Transportation, Said Alkali, officiating.
Efforts to enhance trade, mobility, and connectivity between southern and northeastern Nigeria were underscored by Alkali during the inauguration event.
China Civil Engineering and Construction Company was contracted for the rehabilitation project by the Federal Ministry of Transportation with an expected completion time of 36 months, according to the minister.
Within the scope of the project are the rehabilitation of the existing narrow gauge railway line, the construction of new modern stations, and the procurement of new modern rolling stock, Alkali noted.
In addition, he mentioned that the railway line will facilitate the evacuation of goods and other freight through the Eastern Corridor by linking the ports of Onne, Bonny, and Port Harcourt.
As part of the contractual agreement, the Federal Government is responsible for providing 15 percent of the direct construction cost, including land acquisition and value-added tax, while a bank loan is set to cover 85 percent of the project’s cost.
Alkali emphasized that the commencement of rail line operations will enhance economic activities between the South-South and South-East regions of the country until the completion of the other project sections.
He also expressed that with the completion of the Port-Harcourt to Aba rail corridor rehabilitation, the Ministry will focus on driving CCECC towards completing and delivering the 181-kilometre Aba-Enugu stretch rapidly.
Aligning with priority five of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Presidential Priority Areas, which emphasize enhanced infrastructure and transportation as growth enablers for the economy, the commencement of operations on this project segment reflects these objectives, he stated.