WORK has restarted on the $US 3.2bn project to reconstruct the 1443km Port Harcourt - Maiduguri 1067mm-gauge line from the south to the northeast of Nigeria. The project also involves building new branches to Owerri, Imo state, and Damaturu, Yobe state.
Renovation of the line has been planned for over a decade, but after work finally started in 2021 it was subject to further delay, before eventually stalling. The Ministry of Transport has now confirmed that work has resumed, although a completion date has yet to be revealed.
In 2021 it was announced that the project, which also includes the construction of a rail-connected industrial park in Port Harcourt and the development of a deepsea port on Bonny Island, about 50km south of Port Harcourt, would be complete by the end of 2023.
The work is being undertaken by the Nigerian subsidiary of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).
The rebuilt line will support 60-80km/h freight and 80-100km/h passenger services.
Separately, Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced the relaunch of the Lagos - Kano passenger service. Known as the 2LL, the train has not been running for the last two years after several sections of track were damaged.
Local media confirm that test runs have taken place, though a firm date for the reintroduction of services has not been confirmed.
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