The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa, has commended strong cooperation with Abia and Enugu governments.
Opeifa, in a statement on Friday in Lagos, said the collaboration would deliver greater benefits and accelerate rail development across the South-East.
He spoke during separate high-level meetings with officials of both states in Umuahia and Enugu.
Represented by Eastern District Manager, Francis Agwonye, Opeifa described Abia and Enugu as “key partners in progress”.
He praised the Abia government for clearing the corporation’s right-of-way in Umuahia, calling the support “critical to ongoing railway development efforts”.
Opeifa warned against encroachment, stressing that no individual or organisation may build on NRC land without approval.
“The public is urged to remain patient, as plans to extend the rail line from Aba through Umuahia to Enugu are on course,” he said.
The Director-General of Umuahia Capital Territory Development Authority, Kingsley Agomoh, said the state was engaging stakeholders and offering alternative locations.
Agomoh added that the government would develop green areas along the corridor to enhance the environment and replace previous commercial activities.
Officials inspected relocation sites, demolition areas, Umuahia Central Bus Terminal, and the proposed new railway station site.
In Enugu, Transport Commissioner, Obi Ozoh, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting NRC projects.
Ozoh assured that the government would help remove obstructions and expressed readiness for construction from Aba to Enugu to resume.
He described Opeifa as “a capable leader” and pledged continued collaboration to achieve the corporation’s objectives.
Agwonye was accompanied by Public Relations Officer, Onyedikachi Onovo; Umuahia Area Manager, Patience Ifeanyi; and PTO Track officer, James Apue.
