Posted on 10 August 2010 by Railways Africa Editor
Rio Tinto has approved $US170 million to further fund the construction of the rail and port for its Simandou iron ore project. “Simandou will be the largest integrated iron ore mine and infrastructure project ever developed in Africa,” chief executive of Rio Tinto’s iron ore division Sam Walsh is quoted saying. The project is located [...] [...more]
Posted on 02 August 2010 by Railways Africa Editor
From the Daily Searchlight: “Sometime in 2006, Mr B K Asamoah….having recently and unceremoniously dumped his job as the official photographer in the retinue of the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, started buzzing certain leading figures in the then New Patriotic Party (NPP) government about some rich international investors he had discovered. “According to him, his [...] [...more]
Posted on 19 July 2010 by Railways Africa Editor
Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) chairman Alhaji Bello Haliru Mohammed told newsmen in Lagos that the rail rehabilitation project across the country is at top gear and that restoration of service between Lagos and Kano is only “a matter of weeks” away. The corporation has taken delivery of 15 out of the 25 locomotives ordered from [...] [...more]
Posted on 19 July 2010 by Railways Africa Editor
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is set to commence the Enugu leg of its intra-city mass transit train service on 26 July 2010. This follows the inauguration of service at Kano on 5 July, where patronage has been excellent. Three new halts have been provided and three existing stations have been renovated. The corporation has [...] [...more]
Posted on 12 July 2010 by Railways Africa Editor
According to press reports, residents of the Nigerian capital Abuja are sceptical about the city’s new light rail lines – there is a lack of visible progress and there are queries as to whether the most deserving parts of the city are to be served. Fidelis Oleka, a civil servant at the national identity management [...] [...more]
Posted on 12 July 2010 by Railways Africa Editor
According to This Day (published in Lagos), “A visit to the headquarters of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Ebute Metta, Lagos reveals the parlous state to which the corporation has sunk over the years. Abandoned coaches and disused train equipment litter the premises. The weather-beaten structures that serve as offices bore testimony to the long [...] [...more]
Posted on 02 July 2010 by Railways Africa Editor
The Nigerian Federal Government has injected a total of N12 billion in repairing the Jebba-Kano railway. According to Costain Engineering’s Bennet Perry, a total of 640km is involved. Altogether, 76 bridges are to be reinforced, though two at Akere – destroyed by floods – require complete rebuilding. “The major area of focus between Jebba and [...] [...more]
Posted on 01 July 2010 by Railways Africa Editor
Tracks newly laid for the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) in the Lagos area have been washed away at Agege, Yaba, and Ebute Meta by floodwaters following torrential rainfall. Ballast stones were carried off and the right of way submerged. Between Ebute Meta and Iddo terminus, several sections were flooded, as well as the Ebute Meta railway [...] [...more]
Posted on 28 June 2010 by Railways Africa Editor
Commissioner for Nigeria’s Enugu Capital Territory John Egbo, delivering a lecture at the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC), disclosed that the state government is to introduce the monorail “as a major means of intra-city transportation.” The move is part of “a serious look at the environment,” and he added that the government is open [...] [...more]
Posted on 18 June 2010 by Railways Africa Editor
Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) managing director Adeseyi Sijuwade has welcomed the safe arrival of the first of the new GE locomotives at Kano. He was quoted saying: “The arrival of the locomotive engine in Kano signifies the success of the first steps in our efforts towards launching a new era in rail transport system in [...] [...more]
Posted on 18 June 2010 by Railways Africa Editor
A railway technical team from Benin recently underwent comprehensive training in diesel locomotive maintenance at the Golden Rock Railway Workshops in Tiruchi, India. The facility has exported metre-gauge locomotives to Benin and other third world countries after necessary modification. A group of eight received theoretical and practical training on various aspects such as diesel locomotive [...] [...more]
Posted on 14 June 2010 by Railways Africa Editor
Ghana Railways Development Authority (Grda) board chairman Dan Markin says a railways development levy is under consideration. “Modalities” are being worked out prior to submitting proposals to cabinet. Most lines in the country are obsolete but funds to correct the situation are lacking. Markin announced the proposed moves during an inspection tour of the line [...] [...more]
