The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has commended the growing collaboration between the Corporation and the governments of Abia State and Enugu State, describing the relationship as a catalyst for accelerated rail development in the region.
Opeifa gave the commendation on April 30, 2026, during separate high-level engagements with officials of both states in Umuahia and Enugu, respectively.
Represented by the NRC’s Eastern District Manager, Mr. Agwonye Francis Ejike, the Managing Director described Abia and Enugu as “partners in progress,” noting that the synergy between the parties is already yielding tangible benefits.
In Umuahia, the NRC boss praised the Abia State Government for its support in clearing the Corporation’s right-of-way, a move he said is critical to ongoing and future rail expansion projects. He, however, cautioned against encroachment on railway property, warning that the rail corridor remains protected by law.
He stressed that no individual or group is permitted to erect structures or carry out commercial activities on railway land without official approval, lamenting that misconceptions about the railway being defunct have fueled illegal occupation of its assets.
Opeifa also appealed to the public for patience, assuring that plans to extend the rail line from Aba through Umuahia to Enugu and beyond remain firmly on track.
Responding, the Director General of the Umuahia Capital Territory Development Authority, Mr. Kingsley Agomoh, said the state government is working to relocate affected traders and occupants to alternative sites. He added that plans are underway to transform sections of the cleared corridor into green areas, enhancing the city’s aesthetics.
The NRC delegation also conducted inspections of key project sites, including relocation areas, demolition zones, the Umuahia Central Bus Terminal, and the proposed site for a new railway station, alongside a planned link road.
In Enugu, the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Obi Ozoh, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting NRC’s objectives. He pledged the government’s readiness to remove any obstructions along the railway corridor and expressed anticipation for the resumption of construction on the Aba–Enugu rail line.
Ozoh also described Opeifa as a knowledgeable and capable leader, expressing confidence in his ability to drive the Corporation’s transformation agenda.
The NRC team on the visits included the District Public Relations Officer, Dr. Onyedikachi Onovo; the Umuahia Area Manager, RPMCL, Mrs. Patience Ifeanyi; and the PTO Track, Umuahia, Mr. James Apue.