- The Senate asserted that narrow gauge has become obsolete on a global scale
On Wednesday, the Nigerian Senate endorsed a motion calling on the Federal Government to convert the Eastern Rail Line connecting Port Harcourt to Maiduguri from narrow gauge to standard gauge rail.
The Senate asserted that narrow gauge has become obsolete on a global scale, and Nigeria should not settle for it. The chamber emphasized that the purported rehabilitation of the outdated narrow gauge rail from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri should be promptly halted.
In a motion sponsored by Senator Victor Umeh representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, and co-sponsored by 16 others, it was stated that the Eastern Rail Line serves four geographical zones, thereby making it the longest and the oldest among rail lines in Nigeria.
While outlining the advantage of a functional rail system, Umeh said it would reduce pressure on Nigerian roads, thus, government should adequately fund the rail system beginning from the 2024 budget.
He said: “Note that the Eastern Rail Line which serves 4 geographical zones of South South, South East, North Central and North East, runs from Port Harcourt, through Enugu, Makurdi, Jos, Bauchi and Maiduguri is the longest and one of the oldest rails in Nigeria.
“Note that the Eastern Rail Line is the only direct link from Maiduguri to Port Harcourt Deep Sea Port for export processing activities.”
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