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OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has expressed readiness to partner with the Southwest Development Commission (SWDC) to revive dormant railway routes across the region as part of efforts to deepen rail connectivity and stimulate economic development.

Managing Director of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, stated this on Tuesday when he received the top management team of the SWDC led by its Managing Director, Mr. Charles Diji Akinola, at the Corporation’s headquarters.

Opeifa said the NRC was open to developing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Commission to operationalise some old, unserviced rail routes, noting that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to expand railway operations nationwide.

“We are delighted that the SWDC is continuing the regional rail development agenda earlier championed by the DAWN Commission,” Opeifa said. “What you are asking for is possible and will happen. Our directors will work with your technical team toward producing a workable MoU.”

He also disclosed that similar collaborations are underway with other regional development commissions and state governments, including the Southeast Development Commission and Niger State Government, for the restoration of Eastern and Northern rail corridors.

Earlier, the SWDC Managing Director, Mr. Charles Diji Akinola, said the Commission’s plan is anchored on a phased approach which includes short, medium and long-term targets for reviving rail infrastructure in the six Southwest states.

Akinola explained that in the short term, the Commission is seeking approval to reactivate key abandoned rail lines such as the Osogbo–Dagbolu–Erunmu route and the Idogo line to facilitate agricultural produce movement and food distribution.

“We want to incentivize agricultural production and use these rail routes to move foodstuffs to Lagos and transport consumer goods back to other states,” he said, adding that Lagos, Oyo and Osun are already rail-serviced states with massive commercial potential.

On the medium term plan, Akinola said the SWDC intends to secure operational and track access licences for additional routes and attract private sector investment into the rail value chain. He also requested land approvals for warehouse and logistics development to boost commercial activities.

He assured that the initiative has the full support of Southwest governors and would serve as a catalyst for economic revitalisation in the region.

Responding, Opeifa reaffirmed that the rail sector is now open to development commissions, state governments and private operators following recent legal reforms removing the Federal Government’s exclusive control over railways.

“We have a Track Access Programme and the Railing With the States Initiative, and we would be delighted to partner with the six Southwest states under SWDC,” he said.

The joint delegation later visited the Lagos Iddo Terminal currently undergoing renovation and the Mobolaji Johnson Station in Ebute Metta.