On Wednesday, the Nigerian Senate adopted a motion advocating for the Federal Government to convert the Eastern Rail Line, which runs from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, from a narrow gauge to a standard gauge rail.
The Senate argued that the use of narrow gauge is outdated globally, and Nigeria should not settle for it. The motion, sponsored by Senator Victor Umeh representing Anambra Central Senatorial District and co-sponsored by 16 others, emphasized that the Eastern Rail Line is the longest and oldest among rail lines in Nigeria, serving four geographical zones.
Senator Umeh underscored the benefits of a functional rail system, stating that it would alleviate pressure on Nigerian roads. He called for increased government funding for the rail system, starting from the 2024 budget.
The Senate noted that the Eastern Rail Line is crucial as the only direct link from Maiduguri to Port Harcourt Deep Sea Port for export processing activities.
Recalling that the previous administration borrowed $6.8 billion for the standardization of certain rail lines, the Senate insisted that a similar approach should be taken for the Port Harcourt to Maiduguri rail line. The Senate expressed concern over the failure and abandonment of the $3.2 billion rehabilitation contract awarded in April 2022, resulting in overgrown weeds and vandalized tracks on the narrow gauge.
Other senators, including co-sponsors, supported the motion, emphasizing the advantages of a functional rail transport system in Nigeria. Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio sustained the prayers and urged the Senate Committee on Land Transport to ensure that all four geopolitical zones within the Eastern Rail Line corridor benefit from the ongoing Railways Standardization and Modernization Programme of the Federal Government.