** 561,883 Metric Tonnes of Cargo Moved via Rail

07 Jun 2013

By John Iwori


Not less than 561, 883 metric tonnes of cargoes have been conveyed by rail from 2011 till date, the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, has disclosed.

A weekly movement of 1,500tonnes, which is equivalent to 50 trailer load of cement for Lafarge Cement Plc, was also carried by rail from Ewekoro to Ibadan, Oshogbo, Ilorin, Minna, and Kano within the period under review.

There was also a weekly haulage of petroleum products by rail from Lagos to Kano, just as laterite was conveyed from Otukpo to Makurdi covering 100,000 tonnes. The laterite, which was meant for one of Nigeria’s foremost construction firms, SCC Nigeria Limited, is equivalent to 3,333 trailer loads.

Umar, who revealed this at the 2013 ministerial platform, Radio House, Abuja,said Nigerians have continued to benefit from the Federal Government implementation of what he called the “railway strategic vision”.

He stated that beyond the cargo benefits, there are also passengers’ benefits as more Nigerians are now using the rails to move from one place to another within the period under review.
His words: “In its determination to revive and modernise the railway system in line with the 25 years strategic vision, a systemic dual approach is adopted by the federal government entailing the rehabilitation of the entire existing narrow gauge lines simultaneously with the development of standard gauge lines”.

He revealed that the rehabilitation of the mainline from Ebuta Metta Junction to Apapa local station by the Nigerian Railway Corporation(NRC) has been completed while the sidings are in the process of being rehabilitated.

According to him, rehabilitation of the sidings and loop lines were meant to enhance efficiency along the Western line as well as the rehabilitation of the 300 kilometres link between the Lagos Port Complex (LPC), Apapa and the national line plus the spur line to Kaduna Power Plant Complex are being worked out upon addendum to NRC contract one and two.

Modernisation of signalling and telecommunication system to automatic train warrant from Lagos to Kano as an addendum to the on-going signalling and telecommunication contract is on. The ministerial tenders’ board has approved the processing of the procurement records to the Bureau for Public Procurement for a review and issuance of due process certificate of no objection.

He disclosed that Akere Bridge, Niger State, which hitherto constituted a huge constraint in the Western line, has been rehabilitated. He added that these were parts of the track rehabilitation work carried out by the federal government within the period under review.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/umar-561-883-metric-tonnes-of-cargo-moved-via-rail/149619/

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"laterite was conveyed from Otukpo to Makurdi covering 100,000 tonnes. The laterite, which was meant for one of Nigeria’s foremost construction firms, SCC NigeriaLimited, is equivalent to 3,333trailer loads"- Thisday

@Obiagelli.., just imagine 3,333 trailers plying our roads? No wonder the roads no longer last. Thanks to the railways, those 3,333 trailers have now been taken off the road.

I dont know why some people hate the transformation taking place nationwide. Why so much hate and bad belleism? Why cant some Nigerians commend what is GOOD?

Yes, we all want more but we should appreciate the work done so far and offer constructive criticisms. I can criticise the govt for not building fast trains in 5 to 6yrs but not 2 or 3yrs. This country is over 50yrs old for goodness sake. If it were that easy to build fast trains, how come none of the past leaders built it in the last 50yrs? We expect the govt to do more but our expectations should be REALISTIC

Rubbish!another Jonathan praise singer without drums

Toktee: Rubbish!another Jonathan praise singer without drums

Still a long way to go but definitely a right step in the right direction.

Toktee: Rubbish!another Jonathan praise singer without drums

Yes, I accept the tag of being one of GEJ praise singers. But how is the report rubbish? Pls explain

Nice development!!!

I hope the person who takes over in 2015 sustains this....

3,333 trailers!!! That's a lot!! Just imagine this 3,333 trailers passing through that abuja - lokoja road!! Well I still hope the number of trailers on our roads reduce greatly, because they just make me angry when I am behind them!! Especially on abuja - lokoja road!!

Prof Corruption: Still a long way to go but definitely a right step in the right direction.

We have our different political interests but we must not forget that the essence of politics is to deliver development and services to the people. Any politics that fails to take note of this is USELESS.

Recently, I read a thread on the Opo Imo (not sure of the correct spelling) initiative of the Osun state govt. I not only commended the initiative but I also urged other state governors to implement same in their states. I have also commended the Lagos light rail initiative but criticised the unending work on the project. That is how it ought to be. In the end, politics is about delivery of services to the people and development

Garri the 1st: Nice development!!!

I hope the person who takes over in 2015 sustains this....

Everything must not be reduced to 2015

Sincere 9gerian:
Everything must not be reduced to 2015

Tell that to the Aso-rock drunkard....

It's a lie! Sincere 9ja just commended the work of a government other than Jonathan's or PDPs? let alone Aregbesola of all people. UNBELIEVABLE!!!! Men, I just started believing in my country again.
My people, let us use this to start appreciating positive developments like this and equally condemn the bad ones without ethnic and/or political bias.

Sincere 9gerian:
We have our different political interests but we must not forget that the essence of politics is to deliver development and services to the people. Any politics that fails to take note of this is USELESS.

Recently, I read a thread on the Opo Imo (not sure of the correct spelling) initiative of the Osun state govt. I not only commended the initiative but I also urged other state governors to implement same in their states. I have also commended the Lagos light rail initiative but criticised the unending work on the project. That is how it ought to be. In the end, politics is about delivery of services to the people and development

rosebowl01: It's a lie! Sincere 9ja just commended the work of a government other than Jonathan's or PDPs? let alone Aregbesola of all people. UNBELIEVABLE!!!! Men, I just started believing in my country again.
My people, let us use this to start appreciating positive developments like this and equally condemn the bad ones without ethnic and/or political bias.

That is how it ought to be. We must not blindly commend or condemn everything because of politics

Good development. I would urge that the rail transport system be effectively maintained.

Thank you for that. But it would be nice if you would consistently practice what you just preached. Maybe Eko Ile and co. will do the same. You've started it, and I think it's a good development.

Sincere 9gerian:
That is how it ought to be. We must not blindly commend or condemn everything because of politics

rosebowl01: Thank you for that. But it would be nice if you would consistently practice what you just preached. Maybe Eko Ile and co. will do the same. You've started it, and I think it's a good development.

Do you really expect those bitter and hateful IDs to say something good about GEJ? I dont think it can ever happen. Meanwhile, I'm guided by good conscience in what I post on this forum. I'm not a PDP supporter but I'v fallen in love with the govt of GEJ. Thats all.

Good development.

However I would like to have a feel of the degree to which movement of goods by road has REDUCED. Say by what percentage?

Also what's up with the bill to remove the monopoly of the NRC? I honestly do not believe that that corporation can deliver the railway sector we need for our development aspirations. We need our own railway gurus and financiers, like the likes of J.P Morgan, Cornelius Vanderbilt and Jay Gould of 19th century America.

Good move sha.

HNosegbe: Good development.

However I would like to have a feel of the degree to which movement of goods by road has REDUCED. Say by what percentage?

Also what's up with the bill to remove the monopoly of the NRC? I honestly do not believe that that corporation can deliver the railway sector we need for our development aspirations. We need our own railway gurus and financiers, like the likes of J.P Morgan, Cornelius Vanderbilt and Jay Gould of 19th century America.

Good move sha.

The bureaucracy in govt is just too large. I wonder why the bill is taking so much time. I heard the bill has been packaged and just passed thru the infrastructural regulatory commission and would soon be presented to the federal executive council. After approval by FEC, it will passed to NASS for passage. Its still a very long process but it will definitely reach the NASS this year and may be passed next year.

Sincere 9gerian:
The bureaucracy in govt is just too large. I wonder why the bill is taking so much time. I heard the bill has been packaged and just passed thru the infrastructural regulatory commission and would soon be presented to the federal executive council. After approval by FEC, it will passed to NASS for passage. Its still a very long process but it will definitely reach the NASS this year and may be passed next year.

Ok thanks. Progress is too slow though.

Impressive. ..We need to keep the momentum

A

Great!!!

9jaganja: Same rail that went off track? Lmao!!!!

The rail project started during Yaradua's era. Jonathan has done nothing!!!!

I guess ure not a nigerian,are u not aware that governance is a continous process?

9jaganja: Same rail that went off track? Lmao!!!!

The rail project started during Yaradua's era. Jonathan has done nothing!!!!

Rail does not and cannot go off track! Only trains go off track! Get some education and stop making a fool of yourself!