NRC to begin movement of cattle by rail

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), has affirmed that it would soon offer rail services to transport cattle from the northern region to the southern part of the country.

The NRC Managing Director, Fidet Okhiria, disclosed this on Wednesday on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.

Okhira announced that the transportation of cows and goods would recommence through the Warri-Itakpe route.

The NRC halted cattle transportation by train in 2017 due to technical issues.

Okhiria said the Warri-Itakpe train service would resume cattle transportation within a span of one to two months, enabling herders to move their livestock from the north-central region (Itakpe, Kogi State) to the southern region (Warri, Delta State).

READ ALSO: NRC to operate six train trips daily in 2024

He added that the NRC aims to modernise the transportation of goods in Nigeria.

Okhiria averred that the NRC has acquired specialised wagons for transporting livestock, which are currently being assembled at the Kajola facility in Oyo State.

“We’ve built 15 wagons for livestock, and maybe in the next month or two months, they would be deployed from Itakpe to Warri to drive the economy.

“You are not developing transportation because you want to make a profit in terms of naira and kobo, but the profit will come indirectly if we can move goods and link cities,” he said.

He noted that while the benefits may not accrue directly to the government, the indirect earnings will still contribute to the overall growth and development of the economy.

President Bola Tinubu yesterday announced a plan for a new ministry dedicated to livestock development.

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