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PH-Maidiguri Narrow Gauge Railway Reconstruction to Begin 2021 

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Port Harcourt—Maiduguri Railway

By Adedapo Adesanya

The federal government has disclosed that the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Port Harcourt – Maiduguri narrow gauge railway is to commence in 2021.

The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, disclosed this during the 2021 budget defence of the ministry’s estimates before the joint committees of the Senate and House of Representatives held in Abuja on Friday.

Mr Amaechi said that the rehabilitation of the gauge was part of priority projects of the national government to achieve intermodal transportation to enhance economic growth.

He also mentioned the construction of the central railway from Itakpe to Abuja and connection to new Warri Port as part of the priority projects.

He disclosed that the ministry was proposing a total capital vote of N205,161,882,492 to cover: land, N204,316,793,527; marine, N845,088,965; and overhead of N358,799,999 in the 2021 budget for consideration.

The minister said that the aims and objectives of the proposals were to make significant progress on all ongoing projects as well as to complete and deliver modern railway services.

He said that the proposals would also provide an efficient and cost-effective alternative transport for economic growth while also creating job opportunities for the citizenry.

He further said that under the railway modernisation programme, the construction of Lagos – Ibadan Standard Gauge line had reached 92 per cent completion.

“However, for the project to achieve full loan drawn down from our co-financier, China EXIM Bank, and attain practical completion for the intended purpose, some aspects of works involving construction of upgraded railway stations, signalling and telecommunication system among others have to be completed.

“These additional and extra works amounting to 656 million dollars which is to be financed 100 per cent by the federal government has been approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for implementation.

“Therefore, in order not to forestall the progress of implementation, adequate fund needs to be provided in the 2021 budget proposal to facilitate the completion of the project,” he said.

Mr Amaechi said that the ministry in its budget proposal had presented amounts required for completion of some projects by the year 2021.

He said that it included completion and fencing on the Abuja – Kaduna railway line to ensure security and safety of train operations for the staff members, passengers and the general public.

In his remarks, Mr Tajudeen Abass, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Land Transport, requested additional time to consider the budget proposal for the ministry owing to the delay in the submission of the document.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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InDrive Fetes Abuja Drivers in Ramadan Shukran Campaign

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inDrive Ramadan Shukran Campaign

InDrive, a leading global ride-hailing platform operating in nine African countries, is celebrating Ramadan season with a targeted driver appreciation programme in Abuja, tagged’Ramadan Shukran campaign’, with active Muslim drivers on the platform to receive curated food hampers and personalised thank-you cards.

The initiative, designed to strengthen the company’s relationship with its driver community at a time when many are working long hours while observing the fast, is not based on financial incentives or performance-based rewards but on practical support for the month and a direct expression of appreciation for the role drivers play in the platform’s daily operations.

Four Abuja-based Muslim content creators who understand the social and religious considerations of the period have been delivering 200 hampers across key districts in the city. The hampers, which contain everyday Ramadan essentials to support suhoor and iftar, including staple foods and beverages commonly consumed during the fasting period, come in warm-toned Ramadan packaging and include a handwritten-style card from Indrive with the message “Shukran,” which means thank you.

Each creator is assigned a specific coverage area to ensure broad reach and local relevance, with deliveries taking place around prayer times and fasting schedules, which are captured with the participating drivers’ consent.  The campaign, serving as a broader positioning goal to publicly recognise drivers through creator-led storytelling, will further reinforce inDrive’s people-first identity and increase awareness among drivers who are not currently on the platform.

The campaign reflects inDrive’s deliberate shift toward relationship-building through culturally relevant engagement during one of the most significant periods in the Muslim calendar.

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Glovo Unveils New Road Safety Feature for Safety of Nigerian Riders

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Glovo in Nigeria

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

To enhance the safety of riders in Nigeria, a leading multicategory technology company, Glovo, has launched a new road safety feature on its mobile application.

The initiative was introduced in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). It was designed to address key challenges in Nigeria’s fast-growing e-commerce and mobility ecosystem by implementing data-driven preventive measures to enhance road safety.

Also, Glovo has concluded plans with the FRSC to organise a road safety training. This has already been done in Lagos, with the training coming to Abuja on Friday, strengthening rider protection and road safety standards across Nigeria.

The Interim General Manager for Glovo Nigeria, Ms Reni Onafeko, said the new feature reflects the company’s long-term investment in safety, innovation, and responsible business growth in Nigeria.

Ms Onafeko explained that the feature combines advanced technology with structured training to ensure safer roads for riders and the broader public, highlighting the feature’s voluntary opt-in nature, explaining that riders can use it to improve their safety.

“The launch of this new feature reflects our commitment to building a culture of prevention rather than reaction. By equipping riders with real-time data about their riding behaviour, we are empowering them to make safer decisions every day. This initiative is about protection, education, and continuous improvement.

“Our approach combines innovation, partnership, and human-centred design. We are not just introducing a feature; we are reinforcing our responsibility to protect the people who power our platform every day.

“By working closely with regulators and organising safety training for riders, we are contributing to safer roads and a more sustainable ecosystem in Nigeria,” she stated.

In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation Education and Innovation, Mr Oluwatobi Idowu, noted that the training was a good initiative by Glovo Nigeria, urging riders to take advantage of the unique opportunity to familiarise themselves with the necessary safety rules while driving.

On his part, the Assistant Corps Commander for the Lagos Sector Command of the FRSC, Mr Philip Ogah, who represented the Lagos State Sector Commander, Mr Kehinde G. Hamzat, commended Glovo Nigeria for facilitating a refresher course for riders.

He noted that the training was necessary to help riders be really conscious about their safety, stating that it was better for them to be equipped with such interactive safety tools.

“There are levels of preparation before driving on the road. As a rider, learning is key and a continuous process. This kind of training makes you more informed as you drive.

“As a technological platform, it is good to see that Glovo keeps on ensuring that riders are trained to have a better usage of and better behaviour on Nigerian roads,” the FRSC chief in Lagos stated.

Also speaking, the Head of Operations at Glovo Nigeria, Oluwaseun Okugboye-Bello, explained that the introduction of the safety feature on the Glovo app has become an essential new addition for riders’ self-improvement while collaborating with the platform, noting that it was incorporated into the app to protect riders, commuters, and pedestrians.

At the end of the training session, certificates were presented to 70 participants.

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LAMATA to Boost Red Line Rail Capacity With 24 New Coaches

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lamata

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has announced plans to deploy 24 new coaches to boost the capacity of the Red Line rail by the third quarter of 2026.

In a Wednesday statement signed by its Head of Corporate Communications, LAMATA said it acknowledged recent reports and social media footage highlighting passenger discomfort on the Oyingbo-Agbado train service due to technical issues affecting the air conditioning system.

It noted that the plan to provide the 24 new coaches forms part of its long-term strategy to enhance capacity, comfort and service reliability.

“We sincerely apologise to our valued commuters for the heat and inconvenience experienced during their journey.

“As part of our long-term strategy to enhance capacity, comfort, and service reliability, LAMATA is pleased to announce the expected delivery and operationalisation of additional rolling stock by the third quarter of 2026.

“The new acquisition will comprise three train sets, each with eight coaches, bringing a total of 24 additional coaches to strengthen the existing fleet and improve passenger experience across the Red Line corridor,” the organisation stated.

The statement further revealed that the agency has deployed a technical team to diagnose and resolve the cooling system’s failure to return affected coaches to optimal operating conditions.

“In the immediate term, our technical and engineering teams have been deployed to diagnose and resolve the root cause of the cooling system failure. Restoration works are ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to return the affected coaches to optimal operating condition as swiftly as possible.

“LAMATA remains firmly committed to delivering safe, efficient, and world-class rail services. We continue to take proactive measures to minimise technical disruptions and improve overall service quality.

“We appreciate the patience, understanding, and continued support of the public as we complete these essential repairs. The comfort, safety, and well-being of all passengers remain central to our operations,” the statement concluded.

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