Abuja: The Federal Government has announced plans to enhance the railway track monitoring system nationwide to ensure safe and efficient railway operations. Mr. Kayode Opeifa, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), made this statement in Abuja during a meeting at the Idu Railway Station with a delegation led by Mr. Murilo Martins, the Managing Director of Loram Maintenance, Brazil.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Opeifa emphasized the government’s commitment to leveraging advanced technologies and conducting regular inspections of rail operators to maintain track integrity and provide reliable services to both passengers and freight customers. He pointed out that Nigeria aims to forge stronger ties with Brazil to benefit from the latter’s advanced technologies in this sector.
Opeifa further revealed that the NRC is working to revive neglected rail routes and boost cargo movement on narrow gauge lines. This initiative aims to prevent vandalism and ensure the safety and efficiency of the railway network. He highlighted the ongoing threat of rail track vandalism in Nigeria, which poses a significant risk to the country’s transportation infrastructure and reform efforts. The NRC has been actively addressing this issue, with recent arrests and confiscations of stolen materials. The NRC has reiterated its strict stance against vandalism, warning companies involved in smelting stolen rail materials to cease such activities or face legal consequences.
In response, Martins expressed Brazil’s willingness to share expertise in railway track monitoring with Nigeria, highlighting the mutual benefits both countries could gain from this collaboration. He explained that railway track monitoring involves regular inspections and assessments to ensure safety and integrity, utilizing methods such as visual inspections, ultrasonic testing, eddy current tests, rail profile measurement, and automated monitoring systems. The benefits of such monitoring include improved safety, reduced maintenance costs, increased efficiency, and enhanced reliability. Martins also mentioned that technologies like drones, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things are employed in railway track monitoring.
