Governor Mbah,
The Enugu State Government has revealed plans for a transformative rail infrastructure project—a 135.5-kilometre standard gauge railway designed to link key cities in the South-East region to Onne Port in Rivers State.
Speaking on Afia TV’s “Enugu Kwenu” programme, the State Commissioner for Transportation, Obi Ozor, disclosed that the rail line will be entirely state-owned and is part of a broader strategy to stimulate economic development across the region.
“The line we are about to build is state-owned. It is a 135.5km standard gauge line that connects Enugu to all major cities in the South-East. You are going to see a proper connection to Anambra through Ugwuoba, and a connection to Ebonyi through the Amechi Idodo axis.”
“And of course, connections to Umuahia, Abia, and Owerri through the line that passes through Nkanu West to Isiagu and goes all the way to Onne Port,” Ozor explained.
According to him, the feasibility study for the railway has been concluded.
The state government is collaborating with the Nigerian Railway Corporation and Chinese partners, while negotiations with potential investors are ongoing to secure the necessary financing.
Ozor emphasized that the project is critical to Enugu’s goal of becoming a central trade and export hub in Nigeria.
“As part of turning Enugu State into a hub, rail is a critical component to enable the movement of agro-commodities from their sources all the way to the port for export and earning of foreign exchange,” he noted.
He highlighted the region’s vast, untapped mineral wealth, particularly coal, and stressed that a modern transport system is essential to unlock these resources.
“We have a lot of wealth locked beneath our soil, such as coal. We need to exploit them to generate significant revenue, and rail is critical to achieving this,” he said.
The planned railway will serve both passenger and freight needs.
Ozor pointed out that the line will enhance goods movement across the region and reduce congestion at Lagos ports. It will also improve trade links with neighboring states, including Delta.
A new station at the Holy Ghost Transport Terminal in Enugu is also part of the plan.
This station will serve dual purposes—handling passengers and freight.
In addition, Enugu is preparing to establish a major inland container port to support the processing and movement of agricultural products across both the South-East and North-East.
While the Federal Government is concurrently working on extending its rail from Aba to Enugu within the next 24 months, Ozor clarified that Enugu’s initiative is a separate, state-driven effort.
He said it aligns with the state’s broader vision for long-term economic transformation.
