DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

CO

NFEREN

CE REPO

RTVirtual

RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT IN

Topic:

NIGERIA

2021

4TH

FEBRUARY

https://dlca.logcluster.org/plugins/viewsource/viewpagesrc.action?pageId=12948861SOURCE:

CONFERENCE REPORT 3

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INTRODUCTION

CONFERENCE ORGANISERS

GOALS OF THE CONFERENCE

CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CONFERENCE

CONFERENCE OUTCOMES -RECOMMRNDATIONS/CONCLUSIONS

FULL CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

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Table of Content

CONFERENCE REPORT 5

A PRODUCTION OF POLICY ADVOCACY CENTRE (PAC) OF ABUJA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (ACCI) Email: [email protected]

Address: ACCI Secreteriat, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Umaru Musa Yar’adua Express way, Airport Road, Abuja.

www.accinigeria.com

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Nigeria has a total of 4,378km of railway network made up of 873km of Standard Guage and 3,505 of narrow Guage according to data supplied by the African Railway Consortium from its 2020 State of Africa Railway report . The narrow Guage which

are mostly out of service are under rehabilitation while most of the SGR comprising of Abuja-Kaduna, Ibadan-Lagos and Itakpe -Warri are operational.

Nigerian Railway space is undergoing fundamental overhaul in term of system expansion and modernisation. The extensive push for implementation has witnessed dramatic results notably the initiation and completion of Ibadan -Lagos Standard Guage Railway line, the completion of almost 40 years old Warri-Itakpe railway line, ongoing upgrade of lagos- Kano line, awards of contracts for Lagos-Calabar line, Portharcourt- Maiduguri lime and the Kano-Maradi line.

The breathtaking execution of the projects excites the business community. The opening up of the economy and the attendant boosting of rural economy raise deep interest of the business sector in the nation’s rail development. Railway as a booster of trade and connectivity was recognised by the Organised Private Sector, leading to the putting together of the virtual conference.

The conference hosted by the President of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry , Alhaji Abubakar Al-Mujtaba and moderated by Olawale Rasheed, ACCI Policy Centre director was attended by two hundred and ten participants from within and outside the country. The speakers are railway experts also from far and near. The conference held on the 4th of February lasted for three hours with speakers engaging participants on wide range of issues including review of ongoing projects, impacts of Chinese funding, absence of a legal or policy framework , question of private sector involvement, absence of coherent strategy on rural railways, and issues of operational and technical sustainability.

This report presents details of the Conference proceedings, highlights, copies of presentations, lessons learnt , Policy recommendations and full list of Participants.

INTRODUCTION

CONFERENCE REPORT 7

The conference themed “Assessing Railway Development in Nigeria” was jointly organised by Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry and its partner, African Railway Consortium.

CONFERENCE ORGANISERS

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Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry was established in August of 1986 as a Company Limited by Guarantee with the principal objective of promoting economic and industrial development within the FCT in particular and Nigeria in general. It is a non-partisan, non-sectarian, member-funded organisation solely representing the common interests of the business community in the FCT. The Chamber is privately funded by Corporations, Foundations and Members, therefore its energies are directed by the interests of the business community and the general public. Its policy centre organises the event.

African Railway Consortium is an indigenous full service rail and infrastructure firm based in Abuja, Nigeria. We engage in all facets of railway value chain businesses in close collaboration with partners within and outside Africa. Our strengths lie in local market knowledge, sustainable professionalism and transparency of operations.The services of the Consortium:

Rail Consulting: We offer consulting services across the whole spectrum of railway infrastructures;

Rail Media: We publish African leading rail magazine, named ‘Railway Business’ that provides 24/7 news about railway development within and outside Africa.(Railbus.com.ng);

Rail Conference and Exhibition: We organise Annual International Railway Exhibition and Conference at Abuja Trade and Convention Centre.

About Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry:

About African Railway Consortium:

CONFERENCE REPORT 9

The conference was organised to achieve the following objectives namely:

GOALS OF THE CONFERENCE

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Assess and review the implementation of Nigerian Railway Masterplan;

Review the policy and legal framework of the Nigerian Railway sector;

Debate sustainability issues about current project conception and implementation;

Recommend policy and legal actions to fill all identified loopholes .

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CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

The conference has a total of seven main speakers inclusive of the Keynote speaker, Hon. Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and the President of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Alhaji Mutjaba who presented the welcome address.

The Director General of ACCI, Ms Victoria Akhai delivered the closing remarks.

Rt. Hon. Rotimi AmaechiHon. Minister of Transportation

Alh. Al-Mutjaba Abubakar (FCA)President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry

CONFERENCE REPORT 11

Marcus MukoroCEO, Reliance Rail International, USA

Andrea GuirichSenior Rail Consultant/ Adjunct Professor, University Milan Bococca, Italy

Micheal O. Banjo CMILT, MSc

Independent Chartered Transport Consultant & Lawyer, Milton Keys, UK.

Hussein Askary Board Member,Belt and Road Institute, Sweden


Jide EhizeleConsultant,Railway consultancy Limited, UK

Ms. Victoria AkaiDirector General,Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Mr. Olawale RasheedExecutive Director,ACCI Policy Center (PAC)


BELOW IS A BRIEF PROFILE OF THE MAIN SPEAKERS :

Dr Giurich is CEO of TRA consulting, a strategic consultancy company based in Barcelona. At University Milano Bicocca in Italy is responsible for the transport studies at CESISP – Unimib. He is adj. professor in Transport Management and guest lecturer in many Universities around the World. He is former visiting professor at China Academy of Railway Sciences and he is teaching for several US universities.

He is senior transport consultant for the World Bank, reforming transport sector in Asia and Africa. In the last years he was speaker at International Transport Forum of OECD and at United Nations for transport sector. He is professor for the association of Railway Operators (UIC). He is special consultant for Italo-NTV, the first private high speed rail company in open access competition since 2009 and he works as strategy and operation advisor for international customers from Asia, Americas, Europe and Africa in Transport & Infrastructure, Travel, Tourism, Digital, Technology and Telecommunication.

Dr. Andrea Giuricin cooperates and works with several Transport Authorities, with the European Commission and European Railway Agency. He is member of GBTA of the Italian Board, the Global Business Travel Association and fellow for Istituto Bruno Leoni.He published several books and analysis on transport field quoted on TV and newspaper (Xinhua, Wall Street Journal, Business Week, BBC, FT, Bloomberg, Reuters, The Economist, Le Monde, O Globo).

Dr. Andrea GiuricinCEO, TRA consulting


Marcus is a UK Educated Civil Engineer and railway professional with more than 25 years of global experience in varied roles on small, medium and largescale projects involving concept, detailed engineering design, construction, operation and maintenance works. His expertise in in Railway Civil and Systems engineering and covers the full length and breadth from design management, strategic project planning and management, construction management, track maintenance, including track condition monitoring, inspections and construction supervision.

Marcus’ career has had him in significant leadership roles in various aspects of the rail industry from Commuter rail to Light Rail to Metros, to Heavy Haul railways. Starting his career in the UK, Marcus working on London Underground, Dockland Light Rail and Network Rail before leaving the UK for the USA in 2003. In the USA he worked with the Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority’s initial $340m Startup project (Metro Solutions Phase I) and the $2.4bn expansion (Metro Solutions Phase II). Marcus then when to Australia where for six years he headed up the Melbourne Metro’s Operational Infrastructure including the following projects (Springvale Road grade separation project ($140m), Laverton railway upgrade project ($90m), South Morang Extension project ($640m), Clifton Hill railway project (50m) etc. In Australia he was also on the leadership teams of the Southern Improvement Alliance (SIA) project ($1bn), Glenfield Junction Alliance ($344m), and Sunbury Electrification Alliance Projects ($270m) on the east coast of Australia.

Moving on, Marcus relocated to the west coast of Australia where he led the construction team on the 86km Karara Mining Limited rail line from Karara mine to Tilley. He then joined the Startup team that developed and secured the funding for the largest privately financed port, mine and rail project in the world (total $10.2bn ($7.2bn debt)), at the time, Roy Hill Iron Ore project in western Australia. Marcus was in charge of all track and systems for the project from its inception and developed the operation and maintenance strategies for the heaviest haul axle loads in the world (45TAL). Marcus was also head of construction for all the trackwork and conductor rail (power rail) for the depots on the $36bn Doha Metro project in Qatar as well as Red Line South, Blue Line and the HIA lines on behalf of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI). Marcus has been CEO of Reliance Rail International LLC., (RRI) USA since 2014 and established offices in Africa and Ecuador (South America). RRI under his leadership are constructing the trackwork for the southern sections of the (190km) Gemas to Johor Bahru project in Malaysia. He has worked on project funding, feasibility studies, engineering design, construction, railway systems and systems integration, rolling stock specification and procurement. Marcus is a proven railway project leader in the UK, the USA, Australia, the Middle East and ASIA.

Engr. Marcus O. MukoroCEO, Reliance Rail International LLC.


Michael O Banjo is a lawyer and transportation executive and currently works with Transport for London.He was born in Hull, England and grew up in Nigeria. He read History & Political Science at Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria before studying Law. He was enrolled as a Barrister and Solicitor at the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1990. During a rich career in transportation, he studied Passenger Transport Management at Aston University, Birmingham and later on, Management Consultancy & Organisational Change at Birkbeck College, University of London. He is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK).

Banjo has 28 years’ track record of working in the transportation industry, rising through the grades in an organisation that prides itself as one of the pioneers and one of the best metros in the world, London Underground Limited. He has first-hand knowledge of how a modern transportation organisation operates its business with direct experience of working in the core operational areas – Stations, Trains, Service Control – to drive the delivery of corporate objectives and successfully managing them to the required standards. He is a qualified Mentor, Coach and also a Trainer, capable of getting the best out of people within the appropriate institutional and organisational frameworks.

Banjo is versatile in Negotiation with Organised Trade Unions and believes that a business can derive immense synergies through multifaceted partnering with different stakeholders. He believes that delivering sustainable transportations solutions at national and organisational levels requires the navigation of an enchanting web of interactions that ultimately ensures that customers get the service and product they paid for at the right place, the right time and at the right cost to the business.A deep organisational thinker and an accomplished transportation manager, Banjo has helped to create and empower high impact teams in transportation and general management. He has worked on international projects in Europe delivering high level objectives for the European Union.He sits as a member of the Transportation Law Committee of the Transportation Research Board, United States Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine. He is a member of the African Union for Public Transport (UATP) and UITP and participated in their professional for in Europe and Africa.He is the author of the book, ‘Why Are You Here – Seven Dimensions of the Human-Centred Workplace’ as well as other titles in poetry and culture.

Michael O. BanjoTransport executive with Transport for London


Hussein Askary, a Swedish-Iraqi citizen, is a founding board member of the Belt and Road Institute in Sweden (2018). The institute was founded to provide objective information and analysis about the Belt and Road Initiative. Askary has a background as an economic and strategic analyst at the International Schiller Institute (headquarters in Germany) since 1996 when the institute published the first comprehensive economic study of what became the New Silk Road.

Published Works:

2018: Special study: Operation Felix: The Reconstruction of Yemen and Connection to the Belt and Road.2018: Book: The New Silk Road Becomes the World Land-bridge, Volume II. (Co-author)2017: Book: Extending the New Silk Road to West Asia and Africa (main author and project manager).2016: Special study: Operation Phoenix: Reconstruction of Syria and Connection to the New Silk Road.2014: Book: The New Silk Road Becomes the World Land-Bridge, Volume I. (co-author). 1997: Translation from English to Arabic of the book by American economist Lyndon LaRouche on Physical Economy, “So, You Wish to Learn All about Economics!”1996: Book: “The New Silk Road: Locomotive for Eurasian Economic Development”. (Co-author).

Askary has made speeches and presentations in in international conferences and seminars on West Asian (Middle East) and African strategic and economic affairs and the New Silk Road / Belt and Road Initiative in Australia, China, Denmark, Egypt, Germany, France, Iran, Japan, Sudan, Sweden, UAE and USA. Articles and analysis by Askary have been published in English, Arabic, German and French in publications worldwide.

In 2014, he founded the consulting company Swedhydro in Sweden specialized in technology transfer in the field of desert control and water resources management. In 2019, he joined the China-Sweden Business Council, in which he is a board member since 2020.

Hussein AskaryBoard Member, Belt and Road Institute, Sweden


A railway consultant based in the United Kingdom, Jide has a degree in economics, which provides a useful basis for understanding demand levels, cost and revenue structures and project appraisal within the railway industry. As well as skills and competencies acquired from both degree and career within the public and private sectors, he has subsequently gained experience of a range of railway data and systems (both commercial and operational), allowing him to develop his rail analytical expertise in the socio-economic, demand and operating environments.

Jide has been involved in a range of activities nationally and internationally, across the major fields of commercial and operational planning for railways, including metro, suburban, inter-city passenger, and freight. These include:

providing support to the Go-Ahead Norway franchise which involved a station audit of the Sørlandsbanen lineproviding economic analysis for the western railway concession (Nigeria).revenue at risk analysis for a number of UK train operating companiesdemand forecasting for the Ollerton (Nottinghamshire, UK) branch re-opening lineRail franchise bidding support (station accessibility)

He has completed a number of development and training courses, including a post-graduate qualification in railways from the university of Newcastle. He is also a member of the Institute of Railway Operators.Jide was a contributor to The Railway Consultancy’s research paper “The Impact of Luggage on Passenger Boarding & Alighting Rates”, which was presented at the International. Railway. Symposium Aachen, Germany 26th Nov, 2019.Jide has a keen interest surrounding railway development in Africa. He has written a number of articles surrounding the opportunities/challenges that exist in the industry, some which have been published. In particular, the subject of rural transport is of huge interest. He was a moderator at the annual Lagos Transport Fest 2020 for the “railing up to a connected Africa” session.

Jide EhizeleUK based Railway Consultant


The moderator of the virtual conference, Olawale Rasheed opened the event with explanation of procedures and the composition of the speakers, emphasising that the gathering is to dissect the Nigerian railway sector and come up with recommendations to fix legal and policy loopholes that may exist.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CONFERENCE


WELCOME ADDRESS BY ACCI PRESIDENT, ABUBAKAR AL-MUJTABA

The President of ACCI in his welcome remarks said the private sector body is particularly elated with the fast pace of railway expansion and modernisation in Nigeria.He said the chamber noted the following with deep interest and commendation to the administration the completion of Itakpe-Warri rail line after almost 40 years of its commencement;the completion of a brand new Standard Guage Railway between Ibadan and Lagos; the extension of railway to Apapa Port ; the completion of Abuja -Kaduna railway line; and the many ongoing railway projects all over the geo-economic zones.

Mutjaba speaks further: “Railway development was the backbone of previous industrial revolutions. It was behind European and American economic advancement. The railway is surely Nigerian surest bet to economic integration, prosperity and development. We hope to hear and share from your experiences as the man behind the wheel in a sector widely adjudjed as the most successful for this administration.

He however presented three areas of attention for the government and stakeholders namely enhanced localisation in the implementation of the various railway projects to deepen local capacity development ;deliberate support for the development of Nigerian Local Railway Industry value chains; the diversification of railway financing in Nigeria like the model adopted for the financing of Kano-Maradi railway; and the need for constitutional amendment to move railway from exclusive to concurrent legislative list.

Alh. Al-Mutjaba Abubakar (FCA)President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry


MINISTER’S KEYNOTE ADDRESS

The Honourable Minister of Transportation, Hon Rotimi Amaechi in his presentation that was sent to the conference said “ our modest achievement so far in the revival and modernization of the Nigerian Railway System. This administration is focusing at bringing about a functional and industrial transportation backbone that would aid economic growth. Giving the high capital investment and social economic impact associated with railways, it is my considered opinion that Nigerians should be aware of this development and how the outcome of Government’s effort would positively impact on their livelihood.The railway system we met in year 2015 was still at a very preliminary stage of its journey towards being revived after a long period of outright neglect by Government spanning a period of over 30 years. That period was occasioned by inadequate funding for maintenance of infrastructure and operation equipment. This, was however preceded by a vibrant era of railways during the colonial and post-independence period when the railways played vital role in industrialization and nation building.

“The Nigerian Government in year 2002 taking due cognizance of the challenge posed by the absence of a commensurate transportation backbone especially in view of our population and vast land area commissioned a strategic vision for railway development. The strategy was on three (3) pillars which includes system transition involving rehabilitation and restructuring of existing aged infrastructure. This gained practical implementation with the purchase of new locomotives in year 2009 and commencement of rehabilitation of existing narrow gauge railway network.The second pillar is System Modernization which involves construction of new rail lines with involvement of institutional and commercial financing partners and agencies with the Federal Government. The third pillar is System Stabilization which is the final prong of the strategic vision for railway development and it involves completion of all the envisaged new lines, creation of transshipment centers to connect both narrow and standard gauge railways to meet our transportation needs.

The Strategic Vision also has a timeline to be implemented between 2002 – 2027.

Hon Rotimi AmaechiHonourable Minister of Transportation


However, the implementation suffered setbacks due inconsistency in policy in the past, inadequate funding for the railways. The present administration has accorded priority in the provision of infrastructure and operational facilities.While the construction of the New Standard Gauge Rail line from the Southern City of Lagos - Kano in the North is progressing, the Government has completed and put into commercial operation the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri Standard Gauge Rail Line which form a vast portion of the country’s central line. When fully completed it will extend to Abuja the capital and to the Southern city of Warri and Warri Port. In Abuja travelers and freight can connect to Abuja-Kaduna and down to Kano-Maradi in Niger Republic.

“As part of our participation in regional Rail interconnectivity development we have awarded the Kano-Katsina-Maradi Rail Line. When completed by 2023 will provide a vital link with the neighboring Niger Republic and radiate to the rest of West Africa Sub-region. The reconstruction of Port-Harcourt to Maduguri narrow rail Line when completed will link to a new Deep Sea Port in Bonny Island and Port-Harcourt Industrial Park. The Abuja (Idu)-Kaduna (Regasa) Standard Gauge and train operations commenced in July, 2016. So far the monthly passenger carriage is about 87,133 for the Month of November, 2020. The development of the Coastal Rail Line from Lagos to Calabar via Lagos-Ore-Benin City-Sapele-Warri-Yenagoa to Port Harcourt, Aba, Uyo, Calabar with branch line from Benin City - Onitsha including Onitsha railway bridge is vigorously being pursued by the Federal Government and we are getting nearer to securing a financier with appropriate and acceptable terms. The Ministry in a bid to achieve its strategic vision plan toward railway sector development deployed the following Public Private Partnership Legal, Regulatory and Institutional framework:

i. Infrastructural Concession Regulatory Commission Act 33 of 2005; ii. The Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007; iii. The Public Procurement Act 2007; iv. The Privatization and Commercialization Act 1999; and other Sector – specific Legislations.

“The Ministry also seeks the passage by the National Assembly of the new railway Bills: “the Nigerian Railway Authority and National Transport Commission Bills” to provide legal framework that will facilitate the participation of private sectors and to sustain the rehabilitated and modernized railway networks in the country and in the end, reducing the financial burden on Government towards railway development”, the minister concluded.


EHIZIELE PRESENTATION

Banjo in his Presentation addressed several aspects of Nigerian rail sector,speaking to the sustainability of current financing plans, extent of local content, the need to update the current masterplan ,the need for a national intermodal railway policy and the urgent call for conclusion of the National Transport Policy. While commending political will demonstrated so far by the present government,he delved into reasons why an updated rail plan and passage of the National Transport Policy are key to Nigerian achieving sustainable railway development.

Mukoro in his submission canvassed the need for Nigerian rail agenda to be refocused towards freight rail especially in the mining sector. He cited several international examples of port to pit rail plan which he said has proven to be successful from Australia to the United States. According to him, Nigerian mining potentials should be linked to the railway expansion and modernisation plan, affirming that the freight oriented rail project can pay off whatever loans was incurred for its actualisation. Expressing commendation for the administration so far, Mukoro made appeal for creation of rail development that integrate diaspora resources of Nigerians in world railway system. He observed that Nigerian rail professionals are all over the world building and partaken in world class rail projects, calling on the administration to tap into such poll of talents to reduce cost,develop local content and achieve home grown develop.

Ehiziele who spoke on issues of corridor development and integration of ongoing projects to rural economy said Nigeria stands to reap a lot of benefits only when the railway plan is integrated into rural growth and development. According to the rail consultant, Nigeria has recorded tremendous growth in the modernisation and expansion of her rail network but posited that there is the urgent need to innovate and implement a deliberate rural railway strategy. This he said will require cllaboration among the various levels of government ,explaining that the real impact of railway expansion is in the area of corridor development for citizens benefit. Since predominant population of Nigeria is rural based, Ehiziele advocated a rural railway strategy which will develop local infrastructure around the corridor route. He particularly cited examples of deployment of railways for rural education and rural health delivery,stressing that Nigeria should maximise the benefits of rail development by employing the sector as a toll for social and economic development.

BANJO PRESENTATION

MUKORO PRESENTATION


Adding international perspective to the conference, Guirich proposed that Nigeria can gain a lot by adopting open access competition under ongoing reform to open up the sector to private operators. Citing examples of Italy, the transport economist reviewed types of market system, citing the European model, the Chinese model and the Amtrak example. He specifically called for a strong appreciation of multimodlaity ,describing railway as the backbone of the logistic system. Nigeria he posited stands to gain a lot adopting the European system, citing example of efficiency and profitability of Italian high speed rail system.

An international scholar on road and belt infrastructure, Hussein Askary positioned the discourse from a continental perspective, analysing Nigerian rail growth as a manifestation of how positive the Chinese Rbelt and Road initiative has been. According to him, the Chinese agenda of which Nigeria has benefitted from is not in anywa tantamount to second colonialism. Rather, he described the infra revolution as a bid to spread prosperity for all humanity. He dismissed the notion that Nigeria is heading towards debt trap because of Chinese railway loans, insisting that loans for infrastructure is an asset, not a liability. He urged Nigeria and Africans to embrace Chinese agenda which he said is meant to break cycle of infrastructure deficit worldwide.

The event was concluded with closing remarks by the Director General of the ACCI, Ms Victoria Akhai.

**The full presentations by each speaker is added to the appendix

GUIRICH PRESENTATION

ASKARY PRESENTATION


CONFERENCE OUTCOMES

That Nigeria is devoting enormous energy and resources to expanding and upgrading her railway networks ,producing a lot of green fields and brownfield projects;That current projects attempts to concurrently build new lines, upgrade old lines and strat new projects;That the administration has demonstrated ambitious posture by embarking on such multiple projects never witnessed in the nation’s infrastructure history;That funding is a major constraint as the global economic disruption has affected the inflow and the pace of Chinese loans which formed the backbone of the financing plans;That the administration is attempting diversification of the financing plans through opening up to non- Chinese financing sources;That the expansion and upgrade of the railway system is hampered by legal and policy constraints;That the nation presently has no national intermodal policy;That the nation is still operating a 1959 Railway Act;That railway is still within concurrent legislative list according to the constitution;That corridor development and integration into rural economy is still non- existing andThat railway remains the major platform to fast track national development

Major outcomes of the conference include the following:


RECOMMENDATIONS/CONCLUSIONS

Nigeria should expand the railway financing plans by subjecting rail projects to international projects preparation and implementation process. This will attract diversified financing arrangements and enable Nigeria to key into African Union infrastructure financing support and financing. The Egyptian, Tanzanian and the Ethiopian are great model in rail financing diversification;

Nigeria should upgrade her railway masterplan that was developed twenty five years ago to take account of new reality and availability of new technologies. The new plan should emphasise various model of development from freight rail to passenger services. The new plan should be ambitious enough to include plans for bullet and high speed trains;

Nigeria should urgently pass into law the National Transport Policy and the amendment to the 1959 national railway act. The absence of Updated legal and policy framework is an hindrance to expansion of rail network through private investors;

There is an urgent need to amend the constitution to move railway from the exclusive to the concurrent legislative list. This is urgently needed to allow states governments to design, implement and run railways in their respective domains;

Conference also examine and support the creation of a national rural railway strategy as a vehicle to deploy railway as a platform for development of the rural areas;

Conference also suggest the need for the creation of a Nigerian Railway Development Group to harness diaspora talents and resources for the development of Nigerian railways;

The conference supports and advocate for the application of local content laws to the railway sector through the passage of ongoing bill amending the Nigerian Oil and Gas local content act ;

The conference calls for the establishment of Nigerian railway industry association through the framework of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and industry. The trade group is to represent the interest of companies and businesses involved with the railway sector.

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The main recommendations of the conference are as follows:


PRESENTATION BY MICHAEL O. BANJO

FULL CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS












PRESENTATION BY JIDE EHIZELE





PRESENTATION BY DR. ANDREA GIURICIN






PRESENTATION BY DR. ANDREA GIURICIN









PROTOCOL

The Chairman of this occasion and President Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Alhaji Al-Mujtaba Abubakar Gumi and other distinguished guests.

I am delighted to present my perspective on the theme “Assessing Railway Development in Nigeria” at this forum.

I consider it apt at this auspicious time to relate our modest achievement so far in the revival and modernization of the Nigerian Railway System. This administration is focusing at bringing about a functional and industrial transportation backbone that would aid economic growth. Giving the high capital investment and social economic impact associated with railways, it is my considered opinion that Nigerians should be aware of this development and how the outcome of Government’s effort would positively impact on their livelihood.

The railway system we met in year 2015 was still at a very preliminary stage of its journey towards being revived after a long period of outright neglect by Government spanning a period of over 30 years. That period was occasioned by inadequate funding for maintenance of infrastructure and operation equipment. This, was however preceded by a vibrant era of railways during the colonial and post-independence period when the railways played vital role in industrialization and nation building.

The Nigerian Government in year 2002 taking due cognizance of the challenge posed by the absence of a commensurate transportation backbone especially in view of our population and vast land area commissioned a strategic vision for railway development. The strategy was on three (3) pillars which includes system transition involving rehabilitation and restructuring of existing aged infrastructure. This gained practical implementation with the purchase of new locomotives in year 2009 and commencement of rehabilitation of existing narrow gauge railway network.

The second pillar is System Modernization which involves construction of new rail lines with involvement of institutional and commercial financing partners and agencies with the Federal Government. The third pillar is System Stabilization which is the final prong of the strategic vision for railway development and it involves completion of all the envisaged new lines, creation of transshipment centers to connect both narrow and standard gauge railways to meet our transportation needs.

The Strategic Vision also has a timeline to be implemented between 2002 – 2027. However, the implementation suffered setbacks due inconsistency in policy in the past, inadequate funding for the railways. The present administration has accorded priority in the provision of infrastructure and operational facilities.

While the construction of the New Standard Gauge Rail line from the Southern City of Lagos - Kano in the North is progressing, the Government has completed

KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION ON THE THEME “ASSESSING RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA” AT THE ABUJA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY RAILWAY ROUNDTABLE FORUM HELD ON 4TH FEBRUARY, 2021


and put into commercial operation the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri Standard Gauge Rail Line which form a vast portion of the country’s central line. When fully completed it will extend to Abuja the capital and to the Southern city of Warri and Warri Port. In Abuja travelers and freight can connect to Abuja-Kaduna and down to Kano-Maradi in Niger Republic.

As part of our participation in regional Rail interconnectivity development we have awarded the Kano-Katsina-Maradi Rail Line. When completed by 2023 will provide a vital link with the neighboring Niger Republic and radiate to the rest of West Africa Sub-region. The reconstruction of Port-Harcourt to Maduguri narrow rail Line when completed will link to a new Deep Sea Port in Bonny Island and Port-Harcourt Industrial Park. The Abuja (Idu)-Kaduna (Regasa) Standard Gauge and train operations commenced in July, 2016. So far the monthly passenger carriage is about 87,133 for the Month of November, 2020.

The development of the Coastal Rail Line from Lagos to Calabar via Lagos-Ore-Benin City-Sapele-Warri-Yenagoa to Port Harcourt, Aba, Uyo, Calabar with branch line from Benin City - Onitsha including Onitsha railway bridge is vigorously being pursued by the Federal Government and we are getting nearer to securing a financier with appropriate and acceptable terms.

The Ministry in a bid to achieve its strategic vision plan toward railway sector development deployed the following Public Private Partnership Legal, Regulatory and Institutional framework:

i. Infrastructural Concession Regulatory Commission Act 33 of 2005; ii. The Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007; iii. The Public Procurement Act 2007; iv. The Privatization and Commercialization Act 1999; and other Sector –specific Legislations.

The Ministry also seeks the passage by the National Assembly of the new railway Bills: “the Nigerian Railway Authority and National Transport Commission Bills” to provide legal framework that will facilitate the participation of private sectors and to sustain the rehabilitated and modernized railway networks in the country and in the end, reducing the financial burden on Government towards railway development.

These milestone projects are outcome of Mr. President determination to develop, upgrade and modernize Nigerian Transport Infrastructure, as well as the relentless push by the Ministry of Transportation to fully deliver on the Mr. president vision.

Finally, let me reaffirm the commitment of the Ministry of Transportation of Nigeria to pay full attention to the resolutions of the communique that may be reached in this event.

Thank you for listening.


LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

1. Aliyu Atiku2. Christopher Chigboh3. OGHALE SUNDAY ATUBI4. Temour Istam5. Latifat Opoola6. Bolanle Olaawo7. Ibimina Daminabo Amachree8. Jubril Adeyemi Oshodi9. Brian Shanley10. Marcelo Blumenfeld11. frank 12. Ed-Efe Okogba13. Theophilus Wakili14. Elias Abou Mrad15. Victor Nwadu16. Ajayi Festus17. Naomie Boketa18. Emeka Obegolu19. Mayowa Okulate20. Sand Kalu21. OlaSeni OLASENI22. Ulf Sandmark23. David Onarinde24. Risikat Sallaudeen25. Michael Chukwuma Umolu26. Oluseyi Lufadeju27. Yunusa Shuaibu28. Peter Nnamani29. Peter Akadiri30. Andrea Giuricin31. Emmanuel Obineche Okorie32. Aleksandr Prodan33. Dean Kuenyefu34. Jamiu Ahmed Opeyemi35. Maretha Britz36. Jeff Iornav Mbatsavdue37. Engr. Abdullahi T. SULAIMAN

38. David Saula39. Jegede David40. Samuel Adebayo41. Abubakar Almujtaba42. Franklin 43. Daniel Emmanuel Angyu44. Kehinde Raheem45. Chidiebere Onwumere46. Sola Adepoju47. Dangnan Jwakdak48. Oluwatosin Adeoye49. UGOCHUKWU OKOKOH50. Ademola Olawepo51. Jamiu Wadud Oloyede52. Ochuko Udu53. Victoria Akai54. Lami Ahmed55. Christopher Ifejika56. Osilama Emmanuel Osilama57. Jibril Masud Sahban58. Isabelle Hannouche59. Michelle Rasmussen60. Michael Banjo61. Abbah Martina Nneka62. Chukwudi Ononogbu63. Titilola Osinowo64. Bolanle Victor65. Mark Ohiosikha66. Oluwasesan Akinshilo67. Dennis Ometan68. Guido Paolucci69. Abolade Olawale70. Tapji Fwangwen71. Ramanou KOUFERIDJI72. Yakubu Usman73. Yinka Omotoyinbo74. Kenechi Omeke


75. Augustine Pasakomo76. Kelvin Uwaibi77. Philip Adewale78. Lawal Samsudeen Oluwasanjo79. Igberaese Festus-Ikhuoria80. Remi Adewunmi81. Simon Anyiamuka82. Abiola Ajayi83. Francis Mishiel84. Queen Nwokonneya85. Olukemi Odusanya86. ADESOJI ADENIJI87. Adetoye Kayode88. sholadoye rasheed89. Modupe Osunkoya90. Jide Ehizele91. Idowu Isamotu92. bola fay93. Edith Asogwa94. David Robinson95. Rotimi Raimi96. Salisu Abdullahi Zango97. Peters Ekiejare98. Jude Chime99. Tola Sapara100. Haruna Adamu101. John Zaka102. Afolabi Oludoyi103. Elijah Omodojo104. Kunle Roberts105. OLUDAYO E Ajayi106. Beauty Jonah107. Tere James108. Segun Olajonrin109. Michael Alatise110. Ademola Olawepo111. Francis Adah112. Olawale Rasheed113. Ibraheem Mohammed Lawal114. Lanre Alli115. Chigozie Chikere116. Lawal Ahmed117. Richard George

118. Oyerinde Christiana119. Alexander Ufere120. Nnenna Ike121. TEMITYO ABE122. Emmanuel Odhi123. Alh Dr Aliyu O. Wamakko124. Joanna Zemoh125. George Kaulbeck126. Filima Peter127. Honesty Ukponahiusi128. Edgars Patani129. Tom Ugbodaga130. David Otohwo131. Mark Adebamowo132. Aliyu Kasimu133. Tambari Ahmad134. Chukwudi Ononogbu135. Joseph Mveng136. Toyin Oyewole137. Moses Iyengunmwena138. Chigozie Chikere139. Joanna Maduka140. Engr. Adegbola Joseph Adeyanju141. Afolabi Adeosun142. Ahmad Abdulfattah143. Timothy Kariaki144. Michael Banjo145. Marcus Mukoro146. Omo Oaiya147. Aliyu Idi Hong148. Chijioke Okonkwo149. Adeola Agbabiaka150. Femi olayinka151. Amadou Gueye152. Suleiman Ibrahim153. Daniel Coker154. Lucky Agholor155. Abdulrasheed Shuaibu156. Jones Adeniyi157. Andrew Jason158. Ofentse Mokwena159. Henry Eyekosi160. Theo Odunlami


161. Ayibatonye Etim162. Samuel Alukwu163. Kenny AMAIHIAN164. Cecilia Ogunbaiyeje165. Antonio Sánchez166. Afeez Hassan167. Ben Enoma168. David Ojumu169. Hussein Askary170. Emmanuel Kayode171. Aliyu Kasimu172. Hanne Ala-Harja173. Ade BANJOKO174. Rowland Ataguba175. Ogunniran Kolade Olasoji176. Dr Sunday Popo-Ola177. Christian Gutzwiller178. Olukayode Oyeleye179. Godwin Akpovie180. Sophia Okiasi181. Lola Omobola182. Nurudeen Aderinto183. Tapji Fwangwen184. Dimeji Isola185. Loveth Maxwel186. Stephen Brawer187. The Abba Abba188. Tapiwa Kandengwa189. Dou Wills-Andrew190. Tolulope Nwegbu191. Ani Ojuyah192. Al-Mujtaba Abubakar193. Oluwadare Joshua OYEBODE194. Peter Ojumu195. Ariyo Lanre196. Victoria Akai197. Grace Shobowale198. Ahmad Abubakar199. Vince Onyejeli200. Faisal Ladha201. Festus Okotie202. Olufemi Olojo203. Oki Isaac

204. Christian Madza205. Olumide Ogundipe206. Onuoha Kingsley207. Lekan Kareem208. Bode Thompson Olasetemi209. USMAN ABBAS


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