Abia, NRC sign pact for access road across rail corridor

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The Abia State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Railway Corporation to enable the state to construct an access road across the railway corridor linking Okpara Square and Akanu Ibiam Street (Goodshed) to Bende Road in Umuahia, the state capital.

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Speaking at the event on Wednesday, Governor Alex Otti said the access road was part of a comprehensive plan to give the state capital a facelift and tackle traffic challenges around the corridor.

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He said, “And that’s why it is important that we have this. Because there are a lot of things, like I told you (MD), the last time, what we have in mind.

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“And by the time we integrate the mega station into the terminal, it will become a transportation hub.

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“So, with the railway station, with the bus terminal, and of course, every other thing that goes with it to be in the same place. And it will look nice. So, now that we have this done, we can go ahead and commence,” Gov. Otti stated.

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The governor directed the Commissioner for Transport, Chimezie Ukaegbu; the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Otumchere Oti; the General Manager, Umuahia Capital Development Authority, Hon. Kingsley Agomuo, and other relevant officials to work together and deliver the project as quickly as possible.

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Otti also urged the Managing Director of the NRC to consider increasing the fleet of trains from Port Harcourt to Aba. He assured the NRC of the Abia State Government’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government so that the state would continue to receive assistance.

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“See how we can do that. For us here, I’m sure you may have seen in the news that the new electric buses have come in, increasing the number to 40. Another 30 is on the way.

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“So, that will be the bus covering the entire State. So, if we have the railway, including the other one I mentioned to you that I’m thinking about, and we are working with brother Governors in the Southeast to also integrate all our States on a rail network that will not belong to NRC, but will be supported hugely by NRC. That’s the way it works, everywhere in the world,” Gov. Otti stated.

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The governor further noted the request for the proper relocation of the existing police station within the railway corridor in Umuahia. He directed the General Manager, UCDA, to effect the relocation to a temporary space within the facility and come up with the design of a new railway station with a police station and share it with the Nigerian Railway Corporation.

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He thanked the Managing Director for using Abia as an example to other states and for appointing Mr Francis Ejike from Enugu State as the Regional Head of the Nigerian Railway Corporation in the South-East. He urged Ejike to sustain the good work for which he had been commended by the MD.

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“I want to thank you. And I want to congratulate Ejike for doing his job well and getting to the level very quickly where the MD can say, once Ejike is there, the problem is solved,” the governor said.

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Earlier in his remarks, the Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, said the decision to sign the MoU with the Abia State Government was to facilitate the construction of an access road through the railway corridor in Umuahia.

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He explained that the MoU would enable the state government to construct an access road linking Okpara Square through Goodshed and Akanu Ibiam Road to Bende Road, aimed at improving connectivity and easing traffic within the state capital.

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According to him, the state government sought the corporation’s approval as part of its vision to transform the transport sector. He said the request was approved after the state met all the conditions required by the Nigerian Railway Corporation for such a project.

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Opeifa described the Abia State Government as responsive and responsible, noting that its commitment to due process informed the corporation’s decision to execute the MoU. He praised Otti’s leadership style, saying he frequently cited the governor in many places as a model for transformative governance, and commended his commitment to collaboration and partnership irrespective of political affiliation.

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The NRC managing director lauded the governor for the massive infrastructure development across the state.

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Opeifa highlighted the recently completed Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal as a top-notch project that reflected the administration’s focus on improving transportation and mobility in Abia.

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He also requested that the existing police station within the railway corridor be relocated to a more suitable site and that the architectural design for the new railway station be shared with him.

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He expressed confidence that the partnership would further strengthen infrastructure, improve mobility and drive economic growth in the state.

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