By Moses Ebosele, ebosele@hotmail.com –
A continental railway advocacy group, African Railway Roundtable has challenged the new leadership of Nigeria’s National Assembly to immediately revive and accelerate passage of the bill which seeks to amend the 1955 law establishing and regulating the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
In a statement issued on Sunday by Chief Operating Officer, Segun Olanjorin, the Group also called on the Federal Government to commence the construction of Kano-Kaduna railway line.
The group called attention of the 9th assembly lawmakers to the Railway bill which was already passed by the last Senate but was not treated by the House of Representatoves before the expiration of its tenure.
According to the Group, the bill has been in the National Aseembly since 2016, adding that its non-passage is identified as one of the main impediment to smooth expansion and modernisation of Nigerian railway system.
“The bill seeks to separate the operator from the regulator of the sector while also opening up the sector to private sector investment. The bill allows for concessioning and outright private railroad under the regulation of the regulator.The bill in our view is the best way out of financial and funding challenges plaguing the rail industry.
“Nigeria has borrowed so much and this has become very unsustainable. Passing the bill into law now will energise the railway sector and put it on a strong footing at par with international best practice. We urge House Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila and the Senate President Ahmed Lawan to officially revive the bill. Nigeria cannot wait any longer”,the statement added.
