FG, UK firm sign MoU for Port Harcourt–Abuja rail line

A Memorandum of Understanding with Messrs MPH Rail Development Limited, a United Kingdom company for implementing the Port Harcourt–Enugu–Calabar–Abuja Standard Gauge Rail Line project under a public-private partnership framework has been signed by the Ministry of Transport.

A statement was sighted on Friday on the ministry’s website where this announcement was made.

The UK firm Under the MoU will manage the design, construction, commissioning, operation, and eventual transfer of the Port Harcourt–Enugu–Calabar–Abuja Standard Gauge Rail Line.

The approval of the Outline Business Case and the issuance of a compliance certificate by the Infrastructure, Concession, and Regulatory Commission was followed by the MOU signing as stated by the Ministry.

Messrs MPH Rail Development Limited focuses on compiling the necessary documentation for Federal Executive Council approval to advance the project which was enabled by the clearances.

The signing ceremony of the MoU which was between the minister and the management of Messrs MPH Rail Development Limited was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Olufemi Oloruntola, alongside the Director of Rail Development, Zirra Fimbarr; and the Director of Legal Services, Pius Oteh.

The assurance of all of the ministry’s support for the successful implementation of the project was handled by the Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali.

The importance of the successful diligent preparation and submission of all requisite documents to expedite FEC’s approval was seriously emphasized by the Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali.

In a part of the statement, it said and I quote, “As part of the initiative to consolidate the ongoing railway modernization projects consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Presidential Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, the Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali, has executed a Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Transportation with Messrs MPH Rail Development (UK) Limited to enable the company to carry out the design, construction, commissioning, operation, and transfer of the Port Harcourt–Enugu–Calabar–Abuja Standard Gauge Rail Line on Public – Private Partnership basis.”

According to the ministry, a comprehensive feasibility study report, a complete Business Case Study, an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, the development of a Resettlement Action Plan, and the formulation of a Financial Model to facilitate project implementation were the vital documents required for the project’s progression.

This ensures that the project is transferred to the federal government under a PPP arrangement without incurring loans or debts for the Nigerian government or its agencies.