The Federal Government has commenced full-scale reconstruction and rehabilitation of the long-abandoned Eastern railway corridor, beginning with the Port Harcourt-Aba section of the narrow gauge network.
Newsonspot reports that speaking in Enugu during a national railway survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Victor Adamu, District Manager of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Eastern District, confirmed the development. According to him, the revitalization work on the narrow gauge line stretching from Port Harcourt (Rivers State) through Aba (Abia State) to Maiduguri (Borno State) is in progress.
Adamu revealed that the contract segment was officially handed over to the NRC on November 28, 2024, and currently, coaches are operating between Port Harcourt and Aba five days a week.
While work has temporarily paused between Aba and Enugu, Adamu assured that the Federal Government is making efforts to ensure that construction resumes soon across the remaining stretch. He emphasized that the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to restore full rail connectivity across the country.
“This is a project that the Southeast and other parts of Nigeria will greatly benefit from,” Adamu stated.
“The Federal Government is determined to see that the country’s rail system comes alive again.”
He noted that during a visit in April 2025, the Managing Director of NRC, Kayode Opeifa, held strategic meetings with the governors of Abia and Enugu, signaling stronger regional collaboration on rail development.
Adamu also disclosed a new policy under Tinubu’s administration that enables state governments to invest in rail infrastructure. He noted that Anambra, Abia, and Enugu States have shown readiness to tap into the policy—an initiative expected to yield results in the near future.
Despite the progress, Adamu raised concerns over vandalism, which he described as the biggest challenge facing NRC operations. He said several suspected vandals have been arrested in Imo, Rivers, and Enugu States, with some already undergoing prosecution.
“These facilities are for all Nigerians, and it is our collective responsibility to protect them,” he added.
To secure the infrastructure, the NRC is collaborating with the Nigeria Police Force, Civil Defence Corps, military, and local vigilante groups.
Notably, rail operations had been grounded in Enugu for over two decades, making this rehabilitation a significant milestone for the region.
