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In a recent statement released on Saturday, the Federal Government disclosed its plans to initiate train services on the Port Harcourt to Aba route by the end of March. This development is part of the broader Port Harcourt-Maiduguri railroad project, a flagship initiative under President Muhammadu Buhari's administration.

Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr Fidet Okhiria, shared this information during a visit to Port Harcourt, where he led a delegation to conduct a test run on the reconstructed Eastern Narrow Gauge Rail line. According to Okhiria, the tracks are undergoing final touches to ensure a seamless and safe operation by the end of the month.

Expressing satisfaction with the progress, Okhiria mentioned the directive from the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, to connect the Port Harcourt route to the rail network and initiate the linkage of Onne Port. He highlighted the confidence in completing the tampering of the railroad within two weeks, preceding the targeted three-week timeline for full train services to resume.

“We are pushing the contractor to make the track safe by deploying semi-automatic signaling of the machine points rather than manual operation. Despite resource challenges, the contractors are doing their best, and our goal is to achieve this within the next two weeks," Okhiria affirmed.

The Managing Director also revealed that the project design team had commenced the design of a rail track to connect the Port Harcourt-Aba railroad line to the Onne seaport. Collaborations with the port's terminal manager and leading engineers have begun to ensure a smooth project delivery.

Addressing potential changes in transport fares, Okhiria acknowledged that due to the current high cost of diesel, commuters might experience slightly higher fares than previously. He emphasized the government's commitment to working with security agencies to ensure the safety of the rail line and its passengers.

Okhiria cautioned traders against conducting business on the rail lines, emphasizing that trains would no longer slow down for them to remove goods before passing. The Managing Director assured that trains would adhere to fixed schedules across all railroads in the country, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in safeguarding the government's infrastructural investments.