The Port Harcourt – Aba railway project covering a distance of 6.2 kilometres (KM) has been officially launched by the Nigerian Federal Government, heralding the commencement of train services connecting Abia and Rivers states. During a ceremony in Port Harcourt on April 30, 2024, Senator Saidu Alkali, the Minister of Transportation, emphasized the significance of the project as it plays a vital role in the extensive 1,443km Port Harcourt to Maiduguri narrow gauge rail project.
More so, the start of the Eastern narrow-gauge railway project was marked by his announcement regarding the Port Harcourt to Aba section. Its ultimate goal is to link together the five different geo-political zones within the country. President Bola Tinubu’s administration is delighted to announce the commencement of the train service connecting Port Harcourt to Aba. This new transportation route is a significant focus for the Federal Government. Completion of the Port Harcourt to Aba section is a cause for celebration, as it will provide much-needed relief to the local community.
Passenger train service from Port Harcourt-Aba has officially started.
He mentioned that the Eastern narrow gauge network extends across five different geographic zones of Nigeria, encompassing the South-South, South-East, North-Central, North-West, and North-East. Alkali announced that as soon as the initial phase is finished and the rail line begins operating commercially, Construction on the rest of the line will commence without delay. They are excited to announce that the passenger train service from Port Harcourt to Aba has officially started. They will be embarking on a train journey shortly.
Their next phase of the project will involve extending operations from Aba to Enugu as well as from Port Harcourt to both Onne and Port Harcourt seaports to accommodate freight services. He mentioned that there are ongoing talks between the ministry and an investor about converting the ministry’s locomotive from diesel to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in order to decrease transportation expenses even more. The minister provided assurance to the Nigerian people that plans were in place to coordinate with Security forces in order to guarantee sufficient safety along the railway paths.
Completion of the project will improve trade in the country.
Starting May 1st and ending on May 4th, 2024, there will be complimentary train journeys available from Port Harcourt to Aba, according to his announcement. Every day at 8 a.m., the train will embark on its journey from Port Harcourt to Aba. Conversely, at 3 p.m. daily, it will make its return trip from Aba to Port Harcourt. The return to full commercial operations is scheduled for May 7, 2024, he announced. The completion of the project, as highlighted by Muhammad Zakari, the Director of Press and Public Relations for the ministry, will improve trade.
It will also strengthen the connection and accessibility between the South and North regions of the country. On October 16, 2020, he mentioned that Messrs China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC) had been awarded the contract for a specific part of the project, and they were given 36 months to complete it. However, the project was delayed until March 2022 because of technical and contractual complications. This phase of the project will focus on building state-of-the-art stations and acquiring additional rolling stock.
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He mentioned that the railway line will create a connection between the seaports of Onne, Bonny, and Port Harcourt in order to streamline the transportation of various goods and freight along the Eastern corridor. Zakari stressed the importance of finishing the Port Harcourt to Aba railway. He stated that once this section is completed, the Federal Government will urge CCECC to speed up the construction of the 181km Aba-Enugu portion of the project. His positive outlook on the Port Harcourt to Aba rail service inauguration was centred on the potential boost it could provide to economic interactions between the South-South and South-East regions of the nation.