SOUTH EAST RESIDENTS BEMOAN THE SEEMING NEGLIGENCE OF RAIL TRANSPORT IN THE AREA

In this special report, our correspondent highlights the successes, challenges and governments effort at improving the rail system in the South East.

Rail Transportation is the oldest of modern land transport in the country.

Commencing in 1898 with 193 kilometer single tracks from Lagos to Ibadan, the sub sector witnessed continual extension of its tracks including that from Port-Harcourt to Enugu.

The discovery of coal in Enugu in 1914 promoted the development of the rail industry in the South-East part of the country.

This led to the construction of 24 kilometer rail line from Port Harcourt to Enugu from 1914 to 1916 and 220 kilometer line from Enugu to Makurdi between 1916 and 1924 to facilitate export of coal through Port-Harcourt to the coast for onward shipment to England.

Apart from being the safest and cheapest means of transportation, rail system also contributed greatly to the socio-economic development of the nation.

A social commentator and indigene of Eha-Amufu, in Isi Uzo Enugu State, a community crisis crossed by rail tracks, Dr. Casmir Ifeanyi, recalled with nostalgia the tremendous gains of the once viable transport system in the area.

With many years of neglect, corruption and policy inconsistency, the sector nosedived in its operation with the South East being among the worst hit.

Today, most of the rail tracks have been taken over by bushes, petty traders, food vendors and roads while some of the property of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, including land, have been sold to individuals.

Due to the comatose state of the railways in the South East, food stuff, raw materials and other goods that were transported to different destinations by rail had become freights for more expensive trailer and trucks.

This has led to high cost of goods and great damage to the nation’s roads due to pressure on them by these heavy duty vehicles.

A public affairs analyst and former Director General, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Mr. Emeka Okereke, agrees that the development is adding to the cost of doing business in the zone.

He called for South East State governments’ intervention in the sector.

Meanwhile, efforts by successive governments to revamp the system came with insignificant impact in the South-East until federal government’s intervention under former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Intercity train services came back in the zone with train plying from Port Harcourt to Enugu and Enugu to Kaduna, with stopover at Umuahia, Aba, and Eha Amufu among others on workdays.

This was however short lived as train now plies from Aba to Port Harcourt only due to some challenges.

According to the District Manager, Eastern District Headquarters, Mr. Osidipe Olusoji, vandalism of rail tracks locomotives, erosion and landslides in some areas have hindered full operation in the zone.

He expressed the hope that full train services would commence soon in the area.

However, some people in the south east geopolitical zone have pointed out that the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has led to the inauguration of Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge line with Lagos-Ibadan line almost completed.

They also noted that Warri-Itakpe axis has also commenced operations while contract for Ibadan/Kano standard gauge line has been awarded.

But the people are worried that no such improvement has been recorded in the zone, rather, the situation seems to be that of negligence.

It is their belief that revamping of the rail sector in the zone will help to check vandalism of railway facilities and also promote trade.

NNEKA UGWUANYI