FG begins rail repairs on Eastern corridor, with trains now running from Port Harcourt to Aba.
NRC confirms reconstruction started in 2024 as states join efforts to restore full operations.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed that the Federal Government has commenced the long-awaited rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Eastern railway corridor, with initial work already underway on the Port Harcourt to Aba section.
Victor Adamu, the Railway District Manager for NRC’s Eastern District in Enugu, disclosed this during a national survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the state of Nigeria’s railway infrastructure. Speaking on Wednesday, Adamu explained that the Eastern line spans from Port Harcourt in Rivers State to Maiduguri in Borno State, covering a broad geographical area that includes Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Rivers, and parts of Benue State.
According to him, reconstruction efforts on the narrow gauge rail line officially commenced on November 28, 2024, following the handover of the project segment to the NRC. He revealed that passenger trains currently operate between Port Harcourt and Aba five days a week.
However, Adamu noted that construction activity between Aba and Enugu has temporarily been put on hold. He assured that the Federal Government is actively working to resume work on the remaining stretch of the corridor, as part of its broader infrastructure agenda.
“The project is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, and I can confirm that work has resumed on the Eastern narrow gauge,” Adamu said. “This development will benefit the South-East and other regions connected to this corridor.”
He also noted that discussions have been held with state governors to accelerate progress on the rail project. “In April, the Managing Director of NRC, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, visited Enugu and met with the governors of Abia and Enugu states. That engagement opened new channels for collaboration and investment,” he said.
Adamu revealed that a new policy under the Tinubu administration allows state governments to participate in railway investments. Already, he said, states like Anambra, Abia, and Enugu have expressed interest in partnering with the Federal Government to revamp rail transport.
Despite the progress, Adamu highlighted vandalism as a persistent challenge. He lamented the repeated destruction and theft of railway infrastructure, including track materials and signaling equipment.
To combat this, NRC has teamed up with the Nigeria Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the military, and local vigilante groups to protect rail assets. “We’ve made several arrests in states like Imo, Rivers, and Enugu, and some suspects are currently being prosecuted,” he added.
He appealed to citizens to see railway facilities as public assets that must be safeguarded for the good of all. Railway operations in Enugu had previously been dormant for over 20 years, making the current revival a significant milestone.
