China to supply rail coaches to NRC before December

The CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Company Limited based in Nanjing, China is expected to supply rail coaches to Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) before the end of December this year.

The development was manifested on Tuesday in China after a delegation from Nigeria led by the Chairman Senate Committee on Land Transport and the Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District Senator Gbenga Ashafa paid an inspection visit to the company to see the coaches to be supplied to NRC.

Speaking during the visit, Ashafa called on foreign investors to see Nigeria as a haven for investments, adding that the country is open to foreign direct investments.
“Allow me to seize this opportunity to tell you that Nigeria is a fertile land that is open to Foreign Direct Investments. With our growing population and skilled manpower, you are not only guaranteed your return on investment, but also local content with which to maximise your investments,” Senator Ashafa said.

“Let me quickly state, that I am here in my capacity as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Land Transport to represent the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. What this translates to, is that I must work together with this contingent to ensure that the coaches we are here to inspect before delivery are befitting, contemporary and justify value for money,” he added.

Ashafa expressed his satisfaction as regards the track record of the company and stating that the quality of coaches supplied to Nigeria would also serve as a marketing reference point for the company.

“I am quite impressed with the history of your company and the track record of performance across the world. I believe that the quality of coaches that you supply to Nigeria to boost our railway reinvigoration drive would also serve as a marketing point for potential clients across the world,” he said.

The Senator reiterated the assurance that the Executive arm of government and the Legislature are working in consonance towards ensuring a developed rail sector in Nigeria and a mutually beneficial relationship for both countries.

Amongst other delegates on the inspection team are Hon Aminu Sanni Issa, Chairman Land Transport, House of Representatives; Engr. Aljaji Sabiu Zakari, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation; Fidet Okhiria, Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation; Engr. Usman Abubakar, Chairman Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), and Engr. Mohamed Tunji Babakobi, Director Rail Transport in the Federal Ministry of Transportation.

Patrick Okohue