Nigeria has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Russia for the modernisation, development of railway infrastructure, rehabilitation of the existing Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) rolling stock-fleet and upgrading of workshops across the country.
The agreement which was signed today during the ongoing Russia-Africa Summit holding in Sochi, Russia, involves two Russian firms – Russian Joint Stock Company Russian Railway (JSCRR) and a private rolling stock manufacturing company, Transmash Holding.
The minister of transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi said in a statement that the deal would to boost and fast track the construction of the rail manufacturing company in Kajola, Ogun State.
Amaechi, who signed alongside with the chairman/chief executive officer of Joint Stock Company Russian Railway, Mr. Oleg Belozerov, noted that the coming of the Russian government “is to expand the rail activities and also facilitate the quick completion of all railway projects across the country.”
It would be recalled that Amaechi had in August stated that the federal government will establish a factory in Kajola, Ogun State, for the manufacturing of some of the materials for the construction work of the ongoing Lagos-Ibadan rail project.
Besides, he said before the end of December, the federal government would take delivery of 20 locomotives and wagons which will serve the Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kaduna and Itakpe-Warri rail lines.
