The Tinubu Stakeholders Forum (TSF) has lauded the completion of the Port Harcourt-Aba section of the Eastern narrow gauge railway project.
This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Ahmad Sajoh, TSF Chairman, and Mr Afolabi Josiah, Secretary of the group.
TSF said this was an affirmation of the readiness of the President Bola Tinubu administration to complete the entire Eastern narrow gauge project.
It said the completion and handover of the Port Harcourt-Aba section of the Eastern narrow gauge railway project also marked a key milestone in the broader effort to rejuvenate Nigeria’s railway infrastructure.
“We commend the federal government for its continued progress on the Port Harcourt-Aba section of the Eastern Narrow-Gauge railway rehabilitation and reconstruction project, as the completed assets have officially been handed over to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
“This for us is a key milestone in the broader effort to rejuvenate a project that will, on completion, will link no less than 14 states including the South East States to the Maiduguri Rail line.
“The Port Harcourt-Aba section, nearly 63 kilometres is a critical part of the larger project,” said the group.
It said the Eastern Narrow-Gauge Railway Project, which began under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021 had been a long-standing initiative to connect Nigeria’s key regions and improve trade and mobility.
“The Eastern Railway line was originally built between 1913 and 1916 but was extended to Kafanchan in 1927 and further expanded to Maiduguri by 1964.
“However, the tracks fell into disrepair over the years, and a series of restoration efforts began in the early 2000s.
“Most recently, the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) was tasked with laying new tracks from Port Harcourt to Aba, part of the wider effort to upgrade the entire Eastern Railway corridor,” said TSF.
This segment, the group said, included 62.8 kilometers of rehabilitated subgrade, the laying of rail for the main line and the reconstruction of bridges and culverts.
It said the rail project would foster improved socio-economic conditions between the South South region and the South East by facilitating faster, safer and more affordable transportation.
“We see the completion of that section as a testament to the Tinubu administration’s dedication to modernising Nigeria’s infrastructure, despite historical challenges and misrepresentation,” the group explained.
The TSF also shed more light on the cost of the project: “We however wish to correct the misleading reports in a segment of the media regarding the 3 billion dollars cost.
“This figure pertains to the entire Port Harcourt-Maiduguri project, which spans over 2,000 kilometers and involves multiple phases of rehabilitation, including the Port Harcourt-Aba segment.
“Nigeria is expected to provide about 15 per cent of the cost of the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the rail line while the outstanding balance will be coming from a syndicate of Chinese financiers.”
The group said that the cost of the Port Harcourt-Aba section alone was significantly lower than the reported figure and was in line with similar infrastructure projects across the country.
“We believe it is essential to present accurate information to the public, particularly regarding infrastructure projects that have the potential to drive national development.
“We urge media outlets to ensure clarity in their reporting, especially when it comes to figures and scope,” said TSF.