Babatunji Wusu –
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The Nigerian Senate applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for allocating $3 billion from the approved $21 billion foreign loan towards reconstructing the long-abandoned Eastern Rail Line, seen as a vital step in addressing historical infrastructure disparities in the South-East and North-East regions.
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The Eastern Corridor project, spanning from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, aligns with longstanding regional demands and receives support for improving connectivity and fostering economic growth.
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Senator Victor Umeh highlighted the fulfillment of a promise made by President Tinubu during his January 2025 visit to the South-East, while Senate President Godswill Akpabio praised the bipartisan support for the initiative, emphasizing political maturity.
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The Senate also approved a N105 billion budget for the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) for 2025 and confirmed Senator Tijani Kaura as a member of the South South Development Commission’s governing board.
Following Tuesday’s Senate approval of President Tinubu’s $21 billion foreign loan request, $3 billion has been expressly designated for the revitalization of the Eastern Rail Corridor, a project crucial to reconnecting key southeastern and northeastern states. The corridor stretches from Port Harcourt in Rivers State through states including Abia, Enugu, and Ebonyi, extending all the way to Maiduguri in Borno State.
Senator Victor Umeh, addressing colleagues under Order 42 (Personal Explanation), recalled his advocacy during budget debates and acknowledged Senate President Akpabio’s promise to elevate the matter to the president. He expressed optimism that the allocation signals progress toward fulfilling the administration’s commitment to regional development.
Senate President Akpabio commended Umeh’s non-partisan approach, reinforcing that good governance transcends party lines and typifies the nation’s political maturity.
In related developments, the Senate sanctioned a N105 billion budget for the RMAFC, encompassing personnel and capital costs, consistent with statutory guidelines and the National Economic Council’s directives. Additionally, Senator Tijani Yahaya Kaura was confirmed to serve on the governing board of the South South Development Commission after compliance with senate screening procedures.
According to the Nigerian Railway Corporation, reconstruction has already begun on the section between Port Harcourt and Aba, with plans to resume and sustain work along the entire corridor under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda. This rehabilitation effort aims to restore long-absent rail services, enhance regional economic integration, and improve transportation infrastructure, thereby addressing historical neglect and fostering national cohesion.
