Disruptive challenges in the road and rail sector in 2022 and the lessons learned could be the catalyst for a safer and more vibrant transport industry this Year. BENJAMIN ALADE reports.
Although 2021 could be described as the year of the ‘locust’ in terms of profits from the transport sector, 2022 did not fare much better despite additional infrastructure improvements.
Indeed, the mammoth is the challenge of insecurity, vandalism, increase in fuel consumption, etc. that spread all over the landscape.
Mostly undeterred by the uncertainty of the days ahead, stakeholders are optimistic that 2023 could be the year Nigeria turns the corner on its critical rail and road infrastructure. On the one hand, the outgoing government is learning important lessons to keep rail and roads safer for commuters. On the other side is a new administration coming into the middle, with new ideas to chart a new course.
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On March 28, 2022, terrorists emerged from Kateri-Rijana forest in Kaduna State, detonated explosives to destroy the Abuja-Kaduna train carrying 362 passengers and kidnapped over 100 passengers. At least eight people were killed in the attack.
Thousands of Nigerians use the railway line as a safer alternative to the road between Abuja and Kaduna, which has for years been one of the most dangerous roads due to hijackings by armed bandits.
Terrorist attacks have sparked national outrage and concern about the capacity of federally controlled security and intelligence systems to detect and prevent attacks.
The hostages were released in large numbers after negotiations with the kidnappers, who are believed to have received a large ransom from their families.
In addition, the construction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the 2nd Niger Bridge, among others across the country, are on hold due to funding issues. The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said the 2nd Niger Bridge, billed for completion in February 2022, has been delayed due to the COVID-19 lockdown and EndSARS protests.
In Lagos, the first phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line from Marina to Mile 2 will be completed by the end of 2022. Therefore, Nigerians will witness in 2023, a new rail transport powered by electricity. and not diesel as commonly used by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
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The 2023 budget was signed into law last week, providing insight into the government’s program. Consolidation of the results of the railway modernization, which started in 2002, but gained traction in the last seven years, may be a priority of the government.
The government will spend N4.31 billion out of the N21.5 trillion budget for the acquisition of new locomotives, coaches and wagons for the growing rail network in the country. This is from the budget of N20.45 billion, which was allocated to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) in 2023.
For 2023, the Federal Ministry of Transportation, one of the biggest beneficiaries of President Muhammadu Buhari’s last budget, after the Ministry of Defense and the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, got N126.53 billion.
Of this, N70.45 billion is for capital projects, N30.7 billion is for financing bilateral and multilateral loans, while N18.01 billion is for recurrent expenditure.
Stakeholders, therefore, are optimistic that this year will be better for the transport sector.
The President, Chartered Institute of Transportation Administration (CIOTA), Olusegun Obayendo, said 2023 offers another opportunity for Nigerians to demonstrate their readiness to develop transport modes as envisioned in resilience and transparency dedication and commitment to the development of the rail system, especially standards. gauge, which according to him, proves beyond doubt that it is reliable as a cheap, affordable and safe alternative to the road.
He said CIOTA will continue to work with the government to ensure the development of all modes of transport in the country.
He said CIOTA believes that the transport sector, if exploited adequately, can contribute N7.5 trillion annually to the economy. With a budget of N21 trillion, it means that the transport sector can only provide a quarter of the country’s budget and provide relief to the fiscally stifling country.
Obayendo said the Federal Government’s continued investment in the transport sector, especially in the areas of rail, road, air and maritime, is aimed at realizing the potential of transforming Nigeria into a major transport hub on the African continent.
He added that transportation is the backbone of any economy, and the country’s economic and social well-being depends on efficient transportation.
Former Dean of the School of Transport and Logistics, Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Samuel Odewumi, said transportation is at the core of President Buhari and Governor Sanwo-olu’s agenda.
Odewumi said for Buhari, he had Fashola as his foreman on the road and Ameachi on the rail, until he left for the presidential contest.
“These are two strong and effective individuals who have the confidence of Mr. President. A large part of the capital selectors go to these two modes,” he said.
He added that for the railways, progress has been made but there was a big setback from the Abuja-Kaduna rail kidnapping saga, now compounded by another Egueben kidnapping incident. “Unless security issues are addressed seriously, all efforts on the railways will be destroyed as patronage will decrease to the point where operations will become unsustainable and since this is a project undertaken on loan, it will be a double jeopardy. .
“I expect the Federal Government to work on the narrow scale of the East from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri.”
Odewumi said that for the Lagos rail, the blue line has been tested and will start in the first quarter of this year.
However, he noted that since the operating distance is Marina-Mile 2, it may not be economically optimal. “When it is brought to Okokomaiko is when the return on investment will start to be sustainable. In addition, attention must be paid to intermodal integration so that commuters can park and ride.
On the way, he said the second Niger Bridge is a landmark and all that is needed should be done to fully open it before this government vacates in May 2023.
“The Lagos-Ibadan expressway is long overdue and we expect it to be delivered in the first quarter of this year. So is the Kaduna-Kano expressway.
“The government could not secure loans to finance the east-west coastal road, which is sad but understandable. I hope the NDDC can do something about it,” he said.
However, the Chief Executive Officer, West Atlantic Cold-Chain and Commodities Limited, Henrii Nwanguma, said roads and rail are part of the logistics infrastructure and it is best to look at the big picture and be interconnected with the ultimate goal. to maintain the movement of the nation.
Nwanguma said there are three levels of government, each with responsibilities, but again, they are interconnected.
According to him, 2022 is a mixed bag of sorts. Important landmarks are on the road and rail in three tiers and more are unfinished or unfinished.
“I would rather have this conversation than compare the time and cost of moving passengers (ordinary citizens) or cargo units through, say, 100 kilometers by road or rail every year and from season to season.
“Comparisons can also be understood between competing countries, near or far. This is something that helps determine the cost of living or doing business and is therefore a factor in determining where to live, work, school, business sites, etc. The question is, do we have targets at the local, state and national levels,” he said.
He says that quality, quantity, convenience, interconnectedness, and inter-modalism are also important, along with cost and time measurements.
“Finally, I throw this as a challenge to planners and government bodies responsible for logistics infrastructure including transport on three levels: Where are we and where do we hope to be at this time next year? Beyond how many kilometers have been completed , can we possibly give effect in verifiable quantitative terms? he asked.