Governor Otti urges swift action on Aba-Umuahia-Enugu rail project

• Published On: 17 April 2025 at 19:53

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has urged the Nigerian Railway Corporation to hasten the renovation of the Aba-Umuahia-Enugu rail route, calling it as critical to revitalising transit and stimulating economic growth in the South East.

Governor Otti made the appeal on Wednesday while meeting with a group from the NRC led by Kayode Opeifa, the organization's newly appointed Managing Director. The governor underlined the transformative importance of effective transport networks in national development, adding that transport is still a significant engine of economic growth.

While regretting the poor pace of work on the Aba-Enugu stretch, which was initially scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2024, Otti expressed confidence that progress would pick up under Opeifa's leadership.

"I have no faith that the initiatives that have been delayed will be brought to fruition under your leadership. "The speed of execution we saw in other sections must be replicated here," he stated.

Addressing worries about the protection of NRC assets in Aba, Governor Otti promised the group that his administration would provide full support, including logistical assistance. He reaffirmed that his government does not distinguish between federal and state development projects and is open to partnerships that benefit Abia.

The governor also highlighted ongoing attempts to upgrade the state's transport system, implying ambitions to duplicate the integrated transit scheme used at Paddington Station in the United Kingdom.

"We imagine Umuahia where trains, buses, and other modes of transport combine smoothly. "Paddington never sleeps, and that's the kind of vibrant hub we want to create here," Otti explained.

In his remarks, NRC Managing Director Kayode Opeifa stated that the meeting's goal was to deepen collaboration in order to revive the Aba-Umuahia train route. He stated that the NRC is committed to lowering the cost of products and services through improved rail connection, particularly between important South-East cities.

The conference also included a presentation by Kingsley Agomoh, General Manager of the Umuahia Capital Development Authority, on the status of the Umuahia Railway and Bus Terminal construction.