The first high speed train in Nigeria which will be moving from Abuja to Kaduna will commence operation in March this year, according to the Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Mr. Adeseyi Sijuwade
He added that the corporation would take delivery of modern coaches that could run on the standard gauge track next month to facilitate the take-off of the train service.
The standard gauge track of 186.5km was built by the China Railway Construction Corporation with double lines over a period of three years at a cost of $850m. Designed with nine stations, the track offer trains the travel speed of 150km per hour.
He spoke at the inauguration of refurbished coaches and wagons in Lagos, some of which were deployed for the weekly Lagos-Kano train on Friday to meet the increasing number of passengers.
He said, they will be taking delivery of modern coaches to run on the standard gauge line, specifically for the Abuja-Kaduna line next month, so that that service can commence by February/March.
The Federal Government approved N1.1bn for the purchase of two modern diesel/electric locomotives to run on the new rail line.
Which he did not say whether the two engines had been delivered by the contractors, Messrs CNR Locomotives and Rolling Stock Limited, and CCECC Nigeria Limited. But the contract was for the design, manufacturing and launching of the locomotives with a capacity of 2,800 kilowatts for standard gauge tracks; the training of 30 NRC personnel on the operation and maintenance of the engines; test-running in Nigeria as well as a one-year maintenance and technical support with two resident technicians from the manufacturers.
The NRC MD said a total of 250 coaches and 130 wagons were refurbished at the corporation’s workshops in Lagos in the last three years.
He added that the programme was designed to keep the system running due to paucity of funds. But he emphasized that new rolling stock would be purchased to replace obsolete ones as soon money was available.
Sijuwade said, “I am pleased to announce the completion of refurbishment of three air-conditioned sleeper coaches and eight 90-seater standard class coaches for the comfort and safety of our customers. These coaches, having been coupled, are now on our Lagos-Kano intercity passenger train with adequate police security, restaurants and first aid facilities for the comfort of our passengers.’’
