Lawyer Urges Tinubu to Prioritise Rail Expansion to Ease Road Congestion

Bola Tinubu, Nigeria's President, is being urged by constitutional lawyer and human rights advocate, Ikenna Ahumibe, to prioritize the expansion and modernization of Nigeria's railway system. In an open letter dated October 7, Ahumibe argued that the country cannot continue to rely solely on roads for transportation, as roads are facing an increasing burden of traffic congestion, deteriorated infrastructure, higher costs, accidents, and economic strain.

Ahumibe proposed that rail and road systems should work together as complementary components of a modern transportation network. He cited the recent road gridlock on the Benin-Agbor-Asaba route as a potential example of how rail could alleviate such issues, stating that approximately 70% of stranded motorists could have been spared if a functional rail network had been in place.

The lawyer pointed to examples from China, India, and Japan to illustrate successful railway expansions and their positive impacts on economies. Ahumibe emphasized that rail transportation could offer a safer, more affordable alternative to road and air travel during a period of escalating airfares. He suggested that investing in commuter and inter-city railway lines would not only help reduce the cost of living but also alleviate overcrowding and housing pressures in major cities.

He urged the government to address stalled rail projects, negotiate dispute resolutions, and increase annual rail allocations for new track construction, corridor expansion, electrification, modern signaling, cargo terminals, and station improvements.