oil-rich region

Kasim Sumaina examines the newly-built Itakpe-Warri rail line and how its economic impact will open the oil-rich region of the South-south and industrious South-east with the agricultural and solid mineral hubs of the North-central and North-west linking the nation’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

In 1987, a contract was awarded to build the central line, a standard gauge railway to connect the iron ore deposits at Itakpe to the Ajaokuta Steel Mill and the Atlantic Ocean port of Warri.The railway was originally planned for completion in five years, but sporadic funding stretched out its construction period over 30 years.

In August …