Ukaegbu Joins Stakeholders at 2nd International Railway Conference in Abuja

Abia State Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu was in attendance at the 2nd International Railway Conference and Expo held at the Abuja Continental Hotel, where major observations and resolutions were reached.

The two-day conference, with the theme “Opportunities and Challenges in Railway Development in Africa: A Call for Investment,” brought together stakeholders from the railway industry, government and private sector across Africa and globally to deliberate on the future of railway development in Nigeria and the continent.

In a communique at the end of conference, the stakeholders identified railway development as crucial for economic growth, driving industrialization, social cohesion, and regional integration.

They equally made recommendations to drive railway development in Nigeria and Africa, calling for the establishment of alternative Railway Development Funding to support railway projects and attract investment at both the Federal Government and States.

According to the communique signed by the Minister of Transport Sen Said Ahmed Alkali, the conference recommended increased collaboration at the African Continent and ECOWAS sub regional level for cross-border railway connectivity.

They further recommended a review and domesticating the National Railway Master Plan to guide railway development in Nigeria, and Promoting Public-Private Partnerships in the sector to leverage private sector expertise and investment.

Earlier while delivering the opening address at the Conference, Vice President Kashim Shettima, emphasized the importance of railway development in driving national prosperity.

Shettima highlighted the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which seeks to restore trust in government, create opportunities, and deliver prosperity to Nigerians.

He stressed that Nigeria must not only participate in the growing railway development movement across Africa but also lead it, leveraging its vast geography and large population to anchor West Africa’s economy.

In a welcome address, Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali, emphasised the importance of railways for economic growth and national development.

The Conference featured Technical Session/Paper Presentation and Panel Sessions on various topics which started with the Keynote Speaker, Rowland Ataguba who spoke on
“Building Cross-Border Railway Corridors for Trans-African Trade”.

The Panel discussions focused on policy consistency, regional integration, safety & security, capacity building, investment opportunities and alternative financing model in the Nigerian
railway sector.

Speaking on the conference, Dr Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu, Abia State Commissioner for Transport noted that the Stakeholders’ recommendations, if implemented, would reposition Nigeria’s railway sector.