MINISTER of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, has said that an estimated five million commuters from across the country have used rail transport system between last year till date.

The minister, who made the disclosure yesterday in Abuja during the 2014 ministerial press briefing of his ministry, attributed the high level of patronage to increased stabilisation of the tracks following rehabilitation of the western line.

Umar, who however did not disclose any contract sums for procurements made or contracts awarded by the ministry this year, also pointed out that more coaches and wagons were procured by the Federal Government to cushion the growing demands for rail transportation sub-sector.

He said: “The number of passengers conveyed by rail increased from 4,155,988 in 2012 to 4,328,789 in 2013 with a projection of over 5,000,000 passengers in 2014. This was as a result of increased stabilisation of the tracks after completion of rehabilitation of the western line. The targets set for delivery of freight and passenger services were substantially met. More coaches and wagons are required to meet the high demands for the services.

While promising that the Federal Government will complete work on the ongoing Abuja-Kaduna inter-state railway project, in conjunction with the Chinese company, CCECC, the out-going minister said the project covering 187.5km is 85 per cent completed, saying it would be delivered by end of the year.

On the feasibility studies awarded for survey work and other sample exercises, the minister said that five different studies awarded at undisclosed sums have been completed, while six others, which were either recently awarded or previously signed, are currently ongoing.

Routes with completed feasibility studies, he said, include the Lagos-Abuja high-speed line (615km), Ajaokuta-Obajana-Jakura-Boro-Abuja with additional line from Otukpo, to also include Anyinga-Ejule-Ida-Adoru-Nsuuka-Adani-Omor -Anaku-Aguleri-Nsugbe-Onitcha rail line covering a total 821km.

Others are the Zaria-Kaura Namoda-Nnewi-Owerri-Illela-Birni Konni (Niger Republic), covering 520km, followed by Benin-Agbor-Onicha-Nnewi-Owerri-Aba with additional line from Onitcha-Enugu-Abakaliki, covering 500km. Also, the Eganyi-Lokoja-Abaji-Abuja line, covering 280km, have their feasibility studies completed.

But the Kano-Bichi-Katsina-Jibiya route covering 354km, Sokoto-Birni Kebbi-Jega-Yaur-Makera covering 408km, Aba -Ikot Epene-Ibiono-Itu-Odukpani Calabar covering 340km, Port Harcourt-Aba-Umuahia-Enugu-Makurdi-Lafia-Kuru-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu, Maiduguri, most of which were stalled by problem of insurgency in the North-East, are among routes with ongoing feasibility studies.

On port infrastructure, the minister said that the rehabilitation of the East and West Moles (breakwaters) in Lagos pilotage district have been completed, saying also that there is continuous dredging and maintenance of the navigable channels through long-term joint venture agreements. He said also that automation of the ports system has helped to reduced cost, as well as the electronic payment system, which has also curtailed revenue loss to the Federal Government

Guardian; Fiday october 17, 2014

last year till date is over a year... more resources should be invested into it if they truly have faith in the system

Still a poor figure for a whole year. More tracks be created and better locomotives be brought. However, there should be some sense of security assured to the passengers, this would increase patronage.