The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO), South West Development Commission (SWDC) Dr. Charles ‘Diji Akinola, has revealed that the commission’s push for the revival of many old, unserviced rail lines in Southwest was aimed at building a regional rail ecosystem that will reduce transportation costs, expand market access, enable rural prosperity, support industrialization and create jobs for the youths across the region.
Akinola, at an interaction with journalists on Monday, commended the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Dr. Kayode Opeifa, for welcoming the commission’s proposal on Southwest rail connectivity during the executive management’s working visit to the NRC, Lagos headquarters last week.
Opeifa had assured the SWDC team of positive consideration of the proposals, stressing that the NRC was excited to play its own role in efforts to make rail transportation a cornerstone of economic development in Nigeria. He disclosed that the NRC was already reviewing SWDC’s application for operational licence, adding that he had instructed the directors to work with the commission’s technical team to draft the appropriate Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will bring the requests to life.
According to Akinola, regional rail connectivity will incentivize farming, thereby promote food security, boost the region’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and the overall economic prosperity of the region in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Akinola explained that the visit to the NRC has advanced SWDC’s technical work on Southwest rail development programme being undertaken by its rail sector technical committee.
The SWDC boss said the commission’s rail development roadmap consists of short, medium and long-term plans. In the short term, the commission sought the concessioning of old, unutilized rail routes for immediate operation.
Of particular interest to Akinola is the revival of the historic Idogo route and the reactivation of the Dagbolu-Osogbo–Erunmu-Omi-Adio corridor. He said the Idogo route is critical to food security and agricultural evacuation.
He said: “Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Osun are already serviced by rail. We want to maximize these existing corridors to move foodstuffs into Lagos, and also deliver fast moving consumer goods from Lagos axis to other Southwest consumer markets.
“We want to revive the Idogo route, and indeed extend it to Dagbolu for movement of farm produce in large quantities from Osun, Oyo, and Ogun states to Lagos where demand is high. The route will also enhance delivery of fast moving consumer goods from Lagos and Ogun states to other states, thereby boosting commerce, creating jobs and improving cargo movement efficiency.”
For medium-term, Akinola disclosed that SWDC has applied for operational licence for new routes, expressing optimism for prompt approval.
He noted that the commission was exploring opportunities to bring in private sector partners to operate selected rail lines across the region.
“This agenda has previously been advanced by the DAWN Commission, and we are now in a position to fast-track its implementation.” He said.
To advance these proposals, Akinola stated that both agencies have agreed on a joint technical team, assuring that SWDC was working with the six Southwest governors to construct strategic road spurs to rail stations that will link dry ports, industrial hubs and related facilities.
ENDS
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