The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced that herders and traders will soon be able to transport their cattle from northern Nigeria to the southern region via rail services. NRC Managing Director, Fidet Okhiria, shared this update on a monitored programme, following President Bola Tinubu's announcement of a new ministry for livestock development.
Okhiria revealed that cattle and other goods would be transported along the Warri-Itakpe route, resuming a service that had been suspended in 2017 due to technical issues. He mentioned that within the next one to two months, herders would be able to use the Warri-Itakpe train services for cattle movement. The Itakpe station is in Kogi State, North Central Nigeria, while Warri is in Delta State, South-South Nigeria.
The NRC plans to modernize goods transportation in the country, facilitating the movement of goods from northern regions by road to South-South Warri via rail. Okhiria noted that the NRC has brought in new wagons for livestock, currently being assembled in Kajola, Oyo State.
"We've built 15 wagons for livestock, and in the next month or two, they will be deployed from Itakpe to Warri to boost the economy," he said.
Okhiria emphasized that investments in railways should focus on social and economic benefits rather than immediate profit in monetary terms. He explained that the profits would be indirect, enhancing the economy by improving goods movement and city connectivity. According to him, the indirect earnings might not go directly to the government but would contribute to the broader economy.
He concluded that investments in rail infrastructure should aim to benefit the public and enhance the overall economy, making transportation more comfortable and efficient for the masses.
