Nigeria takes delivery of locomotives from China

Nigeria on July 27 received two locomotive engines from China, the country's transportation minister said.

Minister Rotimi Amaechi told reporters in the country's capital Abuja that 10 more locomotives were expected to arrive in the country by September.

The two locomotives were part of 20 locomotive engines expected to arrive in the country for the commencement of standard gauge rail operations in Nigeria, he added.

The locomotives are specifically designed for passenger train movement, the minister said, noting that the locomotives have an inbuilt power supply and this is unprecedented.

"It is designed for 150km per hour rail services and it is a double-end drivers' cabin," he said.

"With these two new additions, we intend to increase our return trips because the new locomotives would be running at a speed of 130km per hour, as against the 90km per hour we are currently doing," he added.

The minister said the locomotives will be put to use for the Nigerian standard gauge rail project.

Amaechi had said on Monday, July 10, in Lagos that the government would ensure the completion of the ongoing Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail service by Dec. 2018.

He gave the assurance while inspecting the ongoing rail projects at the Ijoko community area of Ogun State.

The minister said the government was making all efforts to ensure the completion of the project on schedule.