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NRC plans to adopt use of natural gas for train operations .

— listed among 10 revenue earners for federal government.

Gloria Odion

The management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has concluded plans to adopt the use of Liquidfied Natural Gas(LNG) to power its locomotives.

The plan, according to the NRC, expected to cut costs of operations and enhance clean environment.

Dr Kayode Opeifa, the Managing Director of NRC who disclosed this in an interview, revealed that the Corporation has successfully demonstrated this technology for one month , signalling a major step toward cleaner, more efficient rail operations.

He disclosed that Lagos–Ibadan and Warri–Itakpe will be used as the pilot routes for the new technology.

“We have completed the LNG prove of concept and demonstrated it for one month.

“As soon as we get gas systems to the Lagos–Ibadan and Warri–Itakpe corridors, where gas is readily available, and resolve all regulatory issues, we will use gas to generate electricity to power the trains,” Opeifa declared.

Opeifa noted that adopting LNG aligns with Nigeria’s gas expansion agenda and will significantly cut operating costs while improving energy security for the rail sector.

Meanwhile, the NRC boss claimed that the Corporation has been listed amongst the top 10 contributors to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the year 2025.

Quoting the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) latest report for 2025, Dr Opeifa said the corporation came tops among revenue generating Federal MDAs that is contributing to the growth of the nation’s GDP.

Opeifa however listed vandalism, washouts and poor funding as the biggest challenge of the corporation in the outgone year, insisting that though the Federal Government has been very magnanimous in giving the NRC more than it generates, yet, more funding, he said ,is needed to enable the corporation operate optimally.

The NRC MD,who disclosed that both the narrow and standard gauge are working in Nigeria, said plans are on to embark on aggressive recovery of locomotives, wagons and other rolling stocks in order to improve on rail efficiency.

Opeifa also outlined an ambitious expansion plan for the national rail network.

He noted that the corporation would soon unveil its national rail roadmap to expand the national rail network from about 4,000 to 10,000 kilometres over the next five years.

According to him, Nigeria currently has about 4,000 kilometres of rail tracks, but the target is to reach 10,000 kilometres within the next five years and about 20,000 kilometres in the next 20 years.

“In the next five years, we hope to double the length of tracks to about 10,000 kilometres. By another 10 years after that, we want to move Nigeria to about 20,000 kilometres of rail lines,” he said.

He stressed that achieving these targets will require substantial private-sector participation, adding that government budgets alone cannot fund the scale of investment required for the rail sector.

“Our doors are open to the private sector for concessioning and other partnerships.

” The government is willing to provide sovereign guarantees for railway investments as is done globally. The rail system is open because our budget alone cannot fund it,” he said.

He revealed that despite security concerns, the rail has continued to move, lauding the team of railway engineers and other artisans whose expertise have continued to sustain railway operations across the country.

He urged for community ownership of railway assets as the only deterrence to vandalization adding that while the corporation, assisted by the security operatives would continue to fine tune the security architecture, there is need for community ownership, especially along the Warri-Itakpe axis, where he lamented that the corporation have had to replace every inch of the kilometer of train tracks due to the activities of vandals on the route.

Looking ahead, Opeifa said the NRC is introducing digital systems and planning major network expansions, including the completion of the Lagos–Kano line, the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri corridor, and the linking of Ajaokuta to Abuja to enable seamless travel from the Southern part of Nigeria to the North.

The NRC, he added, is collaborating with several state governments, including Lagos, Zamfara, Plateau, Niger and Ogun, to boost the use of rail assets adding that the corporation would be willing to work with partners, including state and the private sector.

Already, some private operators are already taking advantage of new opportunities in the sector, he said.

“We now have private sector operators getting licences to run on our tracks.

” About 28 logistics companies including the CCEC Nigeria Limited, are already licensed to move goods from Apapa Port either to Oyingbo, or Papalanto, Kajola, Omi Adio and Moniya, and Osogbo.

“If you have the resources to bring in locomotives and rolling stock, we will give you access to our tracks at no extra charge because we know that once the tracks are in use, the economy benefits,” Opeifa said.

Opeifa, who described what he met a year ago as a railway that was under the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), added that with the cooperation of the workers, the railway has moved out of the ICU and is now ready to fly.

He added that the corporation has revived investor’s confidence and interest in the rail sector, noting that several licences have already been taken up in recent weeks, a development he described as a vote of confidence in Nigeria’s evolving rail future.

Related Topics:NRC train operations .use of natural gas

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NIMASA opens investigation into vessels collision accident at Bonny anchorage as five crew members sustain injuries

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Administration(NIMASA) has opened a full scale investigation into the accident which occurred as a result of a collision between a container vessel, MV MAERSK VALPARAISO, and an oil tanker, MT LADY MARTINA, at the Bonny Inner Anchorage.

The accident which occurred on May 20th, 2026, has triggered a flurry of activities, has resulted in an oil spill in the affected area.

The Deep Blue Operating Base (FOB) in Bonny received a distress call at approximately 1130 hours regarding the collision involving MV Valparaiso, a Singapore-flagged container vessel with IMO No. 9433054, and MT Lady Martina, a Nigerian-flagged oil products tanker with IMO No. 5104033.

In response, the Base immediately deployed 10 armed personnel onboard DB 214, one of the interceptor boats under the Deep Blue Project, to the scene of the incident.

Five crew members onboard MT Lady Martina sustained varying degrees of injuries and were promptly evacuated to the FOB Bonny sickbay for medical attention.

Following the collision, MT Lady Martina drifted ashore and is currently aground along the Bonny Channel, while MV Valparaiso remains grounded at the Bonny Inner Anchorage pending damage assessment and further investigation.

The management of MAERSK has officially reported the incident to the Agency.

Consequently, the Director General of NIMASA, Dayo Mobereola, has ordered a full investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the collision.

In addition, NIMASA has established a Situation Monitoring Room to coordinate response efforts and monitor developments arising from the incident.

Dr. Mobereola, who was personally on ground in Rivers State to inaugurate the situation room, also directed the Agency’s Marine Environment Management Department to immediately commence an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the affected area, while taking necessary steps to mitigate the impact of the Tier 1 oil sheen and protect the marine environment.

NIMASA promised to update the public with the outcome of the investigation into the incident.

Headlines

NIMASA deepens maritime security as 492 Deep Blue personnel graduate in tactical training.

Funso OLOJO, Port Harcourt.

The Nigeria’s maritime security received a massive boost as 492 personnel of the iconic Deep Blue project have graduated from tactical trainings received across some of the best security institutions in the world.

Unveiling the graduants in their tactical attires at the Elele military barrack, Port Harcourt, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Administration( NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, said the occasion gave the agency a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment on its task to ensure Nigeria’s maritime domain is secured.

According to him, the 492 graduating Deep Blue personnel undergone specialized trainings conducted across several strategic training locations across the world, including Italy, Switzerland, Australia, Syria and

Nigeria.

He disclosed that the training has therefore exposed the personnel, taken from across different units of the Deep Blue project, to global best practices and international operational standards in maritime security operations.

“Today’s event is a demonstration of

operational readiness, institutional resilience and Nigeria’s determination to maintain a safe, secure and economically viable maritime environment.

“With many people are not fully aware of the level of operations and integration and technological capacity that supports these achievements.

“The Deep Blue architecture integrates two special mission aircraft equipped with advanced maritime surveillance sensors, three special mission helicopters for over-the-sea operations and surveillance, two special mission vessels for deep sea operations, eight unmanned aerial vehicles for real-time intelligence gathering, 16 fast interception boats for rapid tactical response and 15 armed coastal patrol vessels.

” The Command, Control, Communication, Computer and Intelligence Center, the C4I, serves as

the central coordination hub for military domain awareness and operational response.

“As many of you may recall, the Gulf of Guinea was once regarded as one of the most challenging military

maritime regions in the world due to incidents of piracy and robbery.

“Today, through the Deep Blue project and the collective efforts of all stakeholders, we are proud to say that Nigeria has

transformed the narrative which has resulted in zero piracy incidents since 2022.

“This has restored trust among global shipping operators, investors, and maritime stakeholders.

Mobereola expressed appreciation the Minister of Marine and Blue

Economy, Adeboyega Oyetola, for what he described as his exemplary leadership, strategic guidance, and steadfast commitment to promoting maritime security initiatives in Nigeria.

He also acknowledged the role the Minister of Defense, General

Christopher Musa and the Minister of State for Defense, Dr. Belo

Matawale for their continued support and commitment towards strengthening national security and enhancing interagency cooperation in the maritime domain.

Mobereola commended the Nigerian Navy, Air Force, Army, the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Services, (DSS) and all security and intelligence agencies whose professionalism and

cooperation continue to strengthen the operational success of the Deep Blue project.

Hee made special mention of Deep Blue project technical partner HLSI, Security Systems Technologies Limited, for their invaluable support, technical expertise, commitment to capacity development, and strategic partnership in the implementation and sustainability of the Deep Blue project.

NIMASA DG also congratulated the graduating personnel for successfully completing the important steps of their professional journey.

“This strength you have received comes with enormous responsibility as you are expected to uphold high standards of professionalism, discipline, integrity, and the discharge of your duties.

Tge event was by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Defense, General

Christopher Musa and the Minister of State for Defense, Dr. Belo

Matawale, high military personnel from Navy, Army and Sir force.

Headlines

WHO honors NFVCB over tobacco control in entertainment industry

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has been honoured with the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General’s Special Award, African Region, receiving a Certificate of Appreciation for its outstanding contributions to tobacco control advocacy and the promotion of responsible media content in Nigeria.

The NFVCB is the only institution among the five-person African Region winners unveiled as part of the activities commemorating World No Tobacco Day.

This recognition by the DG of the WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, acknowledges the Board’s leadership in regulating the depiction and promotion of tobacco and nicotine products in Nigerian films, music videos, skits, and other audiovisual content, particularly those accessible to young audiences.

The WHO Director-General’s Awards are presented annually ahead of World No Tobacco Day on May 31 to honour individuals and organizations across WHO’s six regions for exceptional work in advancing the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).

NFVCB was recognized for its landmark 2024 regulations prohibiting the promotion, and glamourization of tobacco and nicotine products in entertainment content.

The regulations require that any necessary depiction of tobacco use in films and videos must carry health warnings, receive the highest classification rating, and be restricted to audiences aged 18 years and above.

The regulations also mandate producers to place a disclaimer and disclose any relationship with the tobacco and nicotine industry while prohibiting tobacco brand display and product placement in entertainment content.

The policy aligns with the implementation guidelines of Article 13 of the WHO FCTC on tobacco depiction in entertainment media.

With the introduction of the regulations, Nigeria became the first country in Africa and only the second globally to establish such comprehensive safeguards against the glamorization of tobacco use on screen.

Research and WHO guidance have consistently shown that the portrayal of tobacco use in entertainment media normalizes smoking behaviour and increases the likelihood of tobacco uptake among young people.

Through clear regulatory standards, the Board is helping to reduce exposure to pro-tobacco imagery while promoting socially responsible storytelling within Nigeria’s creative industry.

The recognition also aligns with the 8-Point Agenda of the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, aimed at strengthening policy frameworks, promoting responsible creative content, preserving cultural values, and positioning Nigeria as Africa’s creative capital by 2030.

Speaking on the recognition, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NFVCB, Dr.Shaibu Husseini, described the award as a validation of the Board’s efforts toward promoting responsible storytelling and safeguarding public interest through effective content regulation.

“This award is a validation of the work we have done with the Nigerian creative industry to promote responsible storytelling.

“The goal has never been to censor art, but to ensure that our films do not inadvertently market products that are harmful to public health,” he stated.

Dr. Husseini reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote healthy societal values, protect children and vulnerable audiences, and strengthen the positive influence of Nigeria’s entertainment industry globally.

The ED also expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, filmmakers, producers, and advocacy partners, especially Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), National Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA), and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), for their collaboration in advancing the policy.

The Board stated that it would continue to strengthen enforcement of the regulations, expand public education and stakeholder engagement, and deepen collaboration with WHO, the WHO FCTC Secretariat, and relevant stakeholders in promoting responsible entertainment content and public health protection.