NRC earmarks N0.6bn to build police stations along rail corridors

An estimated N600 million has been budgeted for the construction of police stations along its standard gauge corridors by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

This is in response to insecurity challenges stalling NRC’s corporation’s operations and financial performance. It also earmarked N600 million for the purchase of rail inspection vehicles.

Government-Owned Entities (GOEs), shows that the NRC plans to secure rail lines in the country with about 10% of its ₦11.8 billion total budget in the 2024 budget proposal.

In Q1 2022, there was deadly Kaduna train terrorists attack and kidnapping of passengerd which had a negative effect on passenger traffic and revenue generation the subsequent quarter.

National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that, there was a sharp drop in train passengers from 953,099 in Q1 to 422,393 in Q2 2022, leading to a substantial dip in revenue from ₦2.08 billion to ₦598.74 million.

This decline underscores a growing public preference for alternative transportation modes, driven by rising security concerns.

Despite the release of the kidnapped victims, the shadow of insecurity continues to loom over the rail transport sector.

Disturbed by the ugly trend, former minister of transportation, Mu’azu Sambo in August 2022 mulled public-private partnerships to fortify security along the like Abuja to Kaduna corridor withan estimated N9bilion for the installion of necessary security equipment.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) had also approved ₦718 million for securing the 45-kilometre rail track and 20 stations nationwide.

Managing director of NRC, Engineer Fidet Okhiria recently disclosed plans to initiate six train trips on all standard gauge rail lines by 2024.

However, he acknowledged the current limitations posed by insecurity, particularly affecting night operations. Okhiria also highlighted the issue of vandalism.

MIKE OCHONMA