NIGERIAN LOCOS HAVE “EXPIRED”
Posted on 25 September 2009 by Railways Africa Editor
At a media briefing early in September, minister of transport Alhaji Ibrahim Isa Bio said the country’s locomotive fleet has “expired”. Over 75%, he said, had outlived their 25-year lifespan , were outdated and not fit to operate. The present administration has earmarked N25 billion in this year’s budget for locomotive replacement and 25 new units have been ordered. It is hoped to have them in service by the end of 2010. He said the Yar’adua administration is determined to restore the railway “back to its old glory” and has embarked on a programme of rehabilitation, reactivation and modernisation. In the 2009 budget, N2 billion was allocated towards “major rehabilitation” of rail tracks and bridges, N400 million for workshop tools and re-railing equipment and N600 million for the rehabilitation of 120 coaches and wagons. According to the minister, the government is determined to evolve a world-class transportation system in Nigeria that fully exploits its potential.
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