STATEMENT ON THE PROPOSED PORT HARCOURT- MAIDUGURI RAILWAY REHABILITATION PROJECT
We commend the Federal Government of Nigeria for its great developmental strides especially in the area of infrastructure, and in particular, the rehabilitation and modernization of the rail sector.
It is in this vein that we applaud the Federal Government for the forthcoming flag off of the Rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt- Maiduguri Railway Project which will be performed by President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, on Tuesday 9th March 2021.
We are however worried that the rehabilitation will be on narrow gauge when all the other railway lines in Nigeria are now either on standard gauge or will be constructed on standard gauge.
So it is imperative to review the Port Harcourt- Maiduguri railway project so that it will be compatible with all the other rail lines in Nigeria and therefore easier for management, interconnectivity and ordering of locomotives, rolling stock, coaches and wagons.
Furthermore, narrow gauge is being phased out in many parts of the world, thus severely limiting sources of imports of locomotives, rolling stock, coaches, wagons and spares, with implications of higher costs and long waiting period for special productions.
Finally, the discontent and disaffection by citizens living in the eastern railway corridor for continuing to use narrow gauge when the rest of the country are on standard gauge will increase over time and lead to its eventual abandonment for standard gauge, albeit at higher costs. Thus, it will become a case of penny wise and pound foolish. Hence, it will be better to bear any additional costs arising from acquisition of additional right-of-way necessary for required sharp curve straightening to accommodate increased standard gauge speeds now than doing it in future with accumulated bad blood and grudges. Moreover, stage construction could be used, if necessary, to accommodate any new financing challenges.
We therefore passionately appeal to the Federal Government to favourably consider our plea and direct for the review of the Port Harcourt- Maiduguri Rail Rehabilitation Contract from narrow to standard gauge please.
Chairman
Nigerian Institute of Civil Engineers
Port Harcourt Branch
