MANAGING DIRECTOR OF NRC SAYS THE RAIL SECTOR IS BEING REPOSITIONED TO REDUCE TRANSPORT COSTS AND IMPROVING NATIONAL LOGISTICS 11-06-25
By Sadiq Aminu The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railways Corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa says the rail sector is being repositioned to play a major role in reducing transport costs and improving national logistics across the country.
He assured Nigerians that within a short time, trains will be running on compressed natural gas engines which will replace the current diesel – powered engines.
Dr Opeifa disclosed this in Lagos, during an interview with newsmen, noting that, this was the fall out of the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the Nigerian Railways Corporation and the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas.
The conversion of diesel powered engines to compressed natural gas powered engines, according to him, is to save costs and to engender efficiency in rail services in Nigeria.
He noted that the partnership would help reduce diesel dependence and operational costs.
The NRC Boss however expressed concern over the soaring cost of diesel as a major burden for the Corporation, as it uses it for the engines, its stations and for other facilities.
Through the collaboration, there would be conversion of diesel engines to compressed natural gas compatible engines and the training of young Nigerians through the NRC’s Training School in various technologies, including compressed natural gas engines conversion.
Dr Opeifa disclosed that this would lead to nationwide deployment of compressed natural gas stations and facilities as well as compressed natural gas powered trains, explaining that the ongoing reforms in the Railway System are yielding positive results with many Nigerians now taking advantage of rail services across the various states and cities.
He however expressed the belief that the rail system is being revitalised to serve the economic and social integration needs of the country but noted with regrets the recurring washouts due to weather conditions and the constant vandalism are the main challenge of the sector.
Despite that, he said the railway sector’s contributions to the GDP, are becoming more noticeable especially in reductions of transportation costs and indirectly reducing prices of goods, in the country.
The transport sector, he emphasized, contributes six percent to the GDP and drives national development and poverty alleviation through lower transportation and logistics costs as he also expressed optimism that, in the next four years, train services would reach almost every part of the country.