The long-delayed Ajaokuta-Otukpo-Onne rail project may return to the Federal Government’s agenda as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, promised to present the demand of Kogi East traditional rulers to President Bola Tinubu.
Akume gave the assurance when a delegation of traditional rulers from Kogi East, led by the Eje Dekina, Dr Usman Onaje Obaje, visited him in Abuja on behalf of the Attah Igala and President of the Kogi State Council of Chiefs, Dr Matthew Alaji Opaluwa Oguche Akpa.
The traditional rulers had asked the Federal Government to revive the rail project, describing it as critical to the economic viability of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant and the wider development of Kogi East.
Responding, Akume said he would take the request to the President and seek its consideration in the next budget.
«“I will tell His Excellency Mr President that this is one of your requests and hopefully it will be included in the next budget,” the SGF said.»
The proposed railway is expected to provide a strategic transport link from Ajaokuta through Otukpo to Onne, connecting the steel-producing area and mineral-rich communities to the nation’s eastern maritime corridor.
Presenting the case for the project, Obaje said the logistics requirements of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant had always made an efficient rail connection essential.
He said the original Detailed Project Report for the steel plant recognised the need to move large quantities of raw materials, including iron ore, coking coal, dolomite and limestone.
According to him, access to the sea and river ports was considered critical to the viability of the steel project.
Obaje said transportation through the River Niger was explored but found inadequate for the scale of movement required, making the rail option necessary.
He appealed to Tinubu to “rekindle” the project by restoring it to the Federal Government’s development plans.
The traditional rulers argued that reviving the railway would go beyond Kogi State, potentially boosting industrial production, trade, employment and Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.
They also used the meeting to press for federal intervention on major roads in Kogi East.
The roads listed for urgent reconstruction and rehabilitation include the Shintaku-Odugbo-Dekina-Olowa-Abocho-Ugbabo route, Ajiolo-Anyigba road and the Idah-Odolu-Nsukka Federal Road.
The delegation said the deteriorating condition of the roads had affected movement and economic activities across communities in the area.
Akume, while responding to the demands, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to infrastructure development and the implementation of policies aimed at promoting economic growth and national development.
He also commended traditional rulers for their role in maintaining peace and security in their communities.
The SGF described President Tinubu as a “detribalised Nigerian,” saying appointments under the administration were based on the records and qualifications of individuals.
He cited the Chief of Army Staff as an example, praising the military’s ongoing operations against insurgency.
Earlier, Obaje commended Tinubu’s administration for what he described as its developmental strides and assured the President of the support of the people of Kogi State for his 2027 re-election bid.
The delegation included Dr Madisca Achile Haruna and several traditional chiefs from Kogi East.