NRC, SEDC strengthen partnership for South-East rail revitalisation
BY TEMITOPE ADEBAYO
The Managing Director and CEO of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has highlighted the crucial role of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) in the federal government’s vision to rehabilitate, expand and optimize the country’s railway infrastructure.
He made this known on Wednesday during a working visit by the leadership of the SEDC to the NRC Headquarters in Lagos.
It was the first formal engagement between the NRC and any of the regional commissions established by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as part of efforts to ensure the even development of all zones in the country.
Opeifa observed that the visit by the SEDC Managing Director Mr Mark Okoye, and the Southwest Director on the Commission, Mrs Adejoke Adebayo Chukwumah, underscored the priority attention the SEDC attached to rail development in the region.
He emphasized that the NRC has historically been at the heart of Nigeria’s economic growth, tracing it back to the colonial era when the first rail lines were built to facilitate trade and commerce.
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He stressed that the government is prioritizing the rehabilitation and expansion of narrow-gauge railway networks to enhance mobility, reduce the cost of transporting goods, and improve economic productivity.
The NRC boss, said: “While Nigeria developed 3,500 kilometres of rail lines in our first 60 years post-independence, the Federal Government successfully constructed over 1,000 kilometres of new or refurbished rail lines in the past decade, marking a significant milestone in railway development.”
He further noted that revitalizing the railway sector would lead to a significant reduction in the cost of goods, benefiting businesses and consumers alike.
Opeifa noted that rehabilitation of the eastern corridor railway line would restore connectivity between key cities in the southeast and other parts of the country.
He also addressed the raging concerns on vandalism especially on the Eastern corridor, saying the railway assets are still much in use and not scrap irons. He said the NRC is actively working to repurpose outdated infrastructure and improve service delivery.
With plans underway to enhance railway services across Nigeria, the NRC remains committed to ensuring that railway development aligns with national economic goals. The Federal Government’s push for modernization, increased efficiency, and expanded railway connectivity is expected to propel Nigeria’s GDP growth and bolster trade both domestically and internationally.
In his remarks, the Managing Director, Southeast Development Commission (SEDC), Mr Mark Okoye, outlined an ambitious roadmap to transform the region into Nigeria’s preferred investment destination by 2030.
Okoye stressed that the commission is prioritizing railway development across the five states in the South-East.
“Our goal is to develop a seamless business climate across all five states in the region. We want consistency in ease of doing business policies, laws, and investment regulations to attract both domestic and international investors.”
He added that the commission intends to establish an investment fund driven through an investment corporation to finance long-term projects, ensuring financial independence within a decade.
The delegation also highlighted security and investment climate enhancement as immediate priorities, recognizing that economic transformation cannot thrive without a stable environment.
The collaboration with the NRC is expected to play a crucial role in the region’s master planning, which includes multi-modal transportation systems, industrial clusters, and agro-processing zones.
Okoye noted that successful models, like the Lagos State’s partnership with the NRC, could serve as a blueprint for similar initiatives in the Southeast.
Reflecting on the commission’s first 50 days, Okoye outlined key achievements, including engagements with the Senate, House of Representatives, state governors, organised private sector groups, and the diaspora community. She also announced the launch of a volunteer system, which has already attracted over 2,000 sign-ups from Nigerians worldwide who are eager to contribute technical expertise to the region’s development.
The SEDC’s efforts have also drawn attention from various stakeholders, including the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who have pledged to track the commission’s expenditures to ensure transparency and accountability.
Okoye reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to fostering development partnerships and urged the NRC to consider the SEDC a key stakeholder in its future projects.
“We are here on a plucking mission—to identify and maximize opportunities for regional growth,” she said.
With a clear strategic direction and growing stakeholder engagement, the Southeast Development Commission is poised to drive economic transformation in the region, ensuring sustainable progress and enhanced national integration.
The commission, which was inaugurated on February 11, has identified five key sectors to drive the region’s economic expansion from $40 billion to $200 billion within ten years. These sectors include agriculture, industrialization, technology, creative economy, and tourism, with infrastructure serving as the enabling foundation.
A major highlight of the visit was a tour of all operational areas within the Lagos district. Among places visited are; Iddo Terminus, the Running Shed, the Nigerian Railway Training School, and the Minister Museum aimed at showing SEDC team the rich heritage of the Corporation.
