GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY FOR THE EASTERN NARROW GAUGE RAILWAY PROJECT, BONNY DEEP SEA PORT, AND A RAILWAY INDUSTRIAL PARK IN NIGERIA
President Muhammadu Buhari flags off the commencement of the implementation of another important national infrastructure consisting of three projects: Port Harcourt—Maiduguri narrow gauge railway reconstruction project with new branch lines, Bonny Deep Sea Port, and a Railway Industrial Park.
These project will resuscitate the once vibrant railway transportation in the Eastern railway corridor of the country, Port Harcourt—Maiduguri, and serve as a transportation and supply chain network for domestic needs and export, as well as support imports into the hinterlands.
The new deep sea port in Bonny Island, Rivers State is designed to be a regional and international transport hub. In line with global trends, the Railway Industrial Park will process exports of raw materials with value addition and also export of locally made goods.
The Port Harcourt—Maiduguri railway will translate to reactivation of economic activities along the Eastern corridor, which has been greatly affected by insurgent activities, and serve as a stimulus for industry and trade.
The connection of the railway to a new seaport in Bonny Island and Railway Industrial Park, Port Harcourt is designed to increase the viability and boost transshipment of cargo and freight locally, across the West African sub-region and in the Continental Free Trade Area.
SUMMARY FACTS:
The PortHarcourt Maiduguri Rail Line when completed, would connect Rivers, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe and Borno States by rail.
The Bonny deep seaport would have a container terminal capacity of 500,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) per annum and 100,000 Deadweight tonnage Berth.
The Industrial park in Port Harcourt would be supported with necessary infrastructure, including, Power, Water, Waste Disposal, ICT, Gas distribution, transportation, logistics centres and other ancillary facilities.
Yesterday I flagged off the commencement of the implementation of another important national infrastructure consisting of three projects: Port Harcourt—Maiduguri narrow gauge railway reconstruction project with new branch lines, Bonny Deep Sea Port, and a Railway Industrial Park. pic.twitter.com/DLT6cDdZTC
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) March 10, 2021