Railway projects are been built across the country and contracts are being signed for more. I am at a loss for word why rail project is now a priority and cost-effective means of transportation. Why is the federal government pouring billions of Nigeria that should have been used to fix Nigerian roads into rail project. Nigeria has been building and managing railway lines since our independence, but they have all gone out of business because of government mismanagement and corruption. How many Nigerians ride trains or use it to travel from one part of the country to another. Most Nigerians use transport vehicles and planes for their daily travels. It is quicker and better managed because they are mostly privately owned and managed.
It is very surprising to me how this government is dedicated to this railway projects and pursuing it as if it is the most important infrastructure Nigerians need at this time. When did Nigerians have problem travelling or moving goods from one part of the country to another if they have the transport money. Funding construction of light rail project within major cities especially congested cities in different states such as Lagos and other major cities in Nigeria is totally understandable but not interstate rail projects the federal government is executing now. Federal government priority should have been federal road construction, maintenance and fixing bridges across Nigeria. Substantial amount of money is been borrowed to dump on rail projects that will not make much dent in people’s life or add to economic growth in a major way. More so, these projects will likely collapse as soon as this government is out of power. I still remember eastern railway line and others railway corporations across the country that are now out of business just like other government own corporations.
What all developed countries have in common is good road network. Interstate rail project is a luxury that can be done later when roads and adequate power supply has been achieved. Most rail projects in developed countries and even developing countries are light rails within major cities to curb traffic on their roads. It is unlikely that next government from another party will consider rail project as a priority especially when they are faced with competing priorities. The end result is that these rail projects will likely be abandoned as soon as another government takes over. President Buhari’s government need to re-examine it priorities and make a U-turn as soon as possible. Nigeria priority right now should be road construction and power supply. Any government that can solve these two problems will never loose the support of Nigerians.
Great road network will hasten economy growth since goods can be easily moved from one part of the country to another. It will also attract foreign investment into the country. The enormous amount of money the federal government is pouring into railway projects can easily be used to fix most federal roads in Nigeria.