The Akwa Ibom State Government, has expressed willingness to align with the Federal Government’s railway expansion programme as part of efforts to attract investments, stimulate economic growth, and fast-track development in the State.
The commitment was reaffirmed by the Delivery Advisor to Governor Umo Eno on Transport, Mr. Orman Esin, who represented the Governor at the 2nd International Railway Conference and Expo 2025, organised by the Federal Ministry of Transportation in collaboration with De Sadel Consortium on Wednesday, September 17, at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja Continental Hotel.
Speaking to reporters in Abuja, Mr. Esin underscored transportation as one of the central pillars of Governor Eno’s administration, covering land, sea, and air infrastructure. He explained that rail connectivity remains critical for driving development in Akwa Ibom, particularly in positioning the State as an emerging tourism and industrial hub.
Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Anthony Luke, highlighted the State government’s ongoing efforts under the ARISE Agenda to strengthen transportation and infrastructure. He noted progress in road expansion, the Ibaka Deep Seaport project, plans for stable power supply, and other complementary projects aimed at ensuring seamless connectivity.
Dr. Luke reiterated Governor Eno’s resolve to build a sustainable, affordable, and safe transportation system for Akwa Ibom people, stressing that the administration had already initiated strategic actions to actualise this vision but requires strong collaboration with the Federal Government to accelerate railway development.
At the conference, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, unveiled plans for high-speed rail expansion across Nigeria. The modernisation project, he explained, will reduce travel times, ease road congestion, enhance trade, and boost industrialisation. He added that the initiative seeks to connect key economic corridors, including Lagos–Kano and Abuja–Port Harcourt, while extending access to underserved regions.
The Minister for Transportation, Sa’idu Alkali, re-echoed the Federal Government’s commitment, noting that the NRC’s modernisation drive is central to Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a leading regional trade hub. Similarly, the Chief Executive Director of De Sadel Consortium, Mr. Samuel Uko, announced that the proposed 4,000km high-speed rail network will make Nigeria the second-largest in the world after China. He emphasised that extending the network to Akwa Ibom would revolutionise mobility, reducing short-distance travel to under 30 minutes.
The Akwa Ibom delegation at the conference included TPL Aniekan Akpan, Permanent Secretary, Akwa Ibom State Liaison Office, Abuja; Hon. Bassey Abia, former Member, House of Representatives for Eket Federal Constituency; Hon. Nsidibe Akata, Member representing Eket State Constituency; Hon. Akan Tommey, Chairman of Eket Local Government Area; Hon. Ayang Ayang, former representative of Eket State Constituency; and Rt. Hon. David Lawrence. The State’s participation reflected a clear intent to tap into opportunities for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and other financing models that will advance railway and transportation development in Akwa Ibom.
