I thought I’d done all the rail tweets I planned for today, and then tonight I listened to the MD of the NRC on an hourlong Facebook Live conversation. Full of insight.
My takeaways:
My takeaways:
#IbadanKanoRail is in 4 sections: Ibadan-Ilorin, Ilorin-Minna, Minna-Abuja and Kaduna-Kano. The plan, according to the NRC MD, is to work on all 4 sections simultaneously. Not one after the other. Part of the counterpart funding for the project is ready, approved by PMB.
He’s assured of an hourly service between Abuja and Kaduna when the Covid lockdown is fully lifted. Cos the line is getting 18 new Coaches. Which have already arrived in the country, from China.
For #ItakpeWarriLine - 2 return trips a day for now (one starting from each end).
For #ItakpeWarriLine - 2 return trips a day for now (one starting from each end).
For the Eastern flank of Nigeria, NRC working to revive the narrow gauge & launch a PH—Kano service, whilst looking for funding for Standard Gauge Line. MD says there’s a damaged bridge just after Enugu that’s currently being rebuilt. Laments recurring vandalism on that line.
MD NRC: Nigeria’s Railway Modernization Programme has been designed to avoid any crossing/intersecting of road and rail. Underpasses and overpasses are a mandatory feature. NO LEVEL CROSSINGS.
Covid19 has obviously been hugely disruptive to all the ongoing/planned SGR projects. At the moment work has been suspended, the MD says NRC is currently working with NCDC to develop protocols for resumption of construction work, in a way that ensures workers are fully protected.
MD NRC: In terms of security, NSCDC have got approval to launch a Railway Command, just like what the Police have. To protect rail infrastructure and journeys. Abuja-Kaduna Line (tracks, yards, stations, etc) also being outfitted with security cameras.
Lagos-Ibadan Rail project was very challenging because of Right of Way issues. Significantly affected cost. Pipelines, bridges,buildings, etc that had to be relocated/demolished/rebuilt. In Yaba a military depot had to be relocated. Lots of lessons learned for rest of the project
Still on the Narrow Gauge line: most of the upgrade work is focused on two main elements: ‘straightening the curve’ and ‘reducing the gradient’. That’s the work that’ll be done on the line that runs northwards from Port Harcourt. Target is a weekly service in the first instance.
By the way, the Lagos-Kano Narrow Gauge Line still runs. (Not at the moment obv, because lockdown). But it runs. There’s a weekly service between Apapa & the Inland Dry Port in Kaduna, and daily services from the APM Terminal in Apapa to storage terminals in Alagomeji and Ijoko.
