NRC buys 20 wagons to move petroleum products

NRC buys 20 wagons to move petroleum products The Nigerian Railway Corporation has procured 20 brand new pressurised oil tank wagons for the transportation of petroleum products through rail system within the country. The Minister of Transport, Idris Umar, said the acquisition was to reduce the pressure on the road. The minister also said the wagons would boost the economic importance of the rail sector, adding that 540 passenger coaches would soon be added. He said, “Following the rehabilitation of the West Line Lagos-Kano, the necessity to acquire various categories of rolling stock became more imperative. Therefore, the procurement of these pressurised oil tank wagons will help to ease traffic congestion, reduce accident and wear and tear our roads. “Upon the inauguration of these 20 tank wagon, we will invariably be taking out about 20 oil tankers per trip off our roads. In the same vein, the FG has ordered two set of Diesel Multiple Units each with a carrying capacity of 540 passenger coaches for inter-city service to be delivered in 2013.” He said the Federal Government was committed to developing the transport system and noted that additional funds had been approved for the rehabilitation of roads linking some depots in Apapa. “The Federal Executive Council has approved an addendum for all the loop lines and sidings including links to the oil depots in Apapa. An addendum has also been approved for the upgrade of signalling and communication system for Lagos to Kano,” he added. The Managing Director of the NRC, Mr. Adeseyi Sijuwade, said each wagon has a loading capacity of 40 tonnes; axle load of 16.5 tonnes; weight of two tonnes and a total volume of 45m3. He said the wagons were specially manufactured by China Railway Shanhaiguan Bridge Group Company Limited and Westgate Project Limited to fit the Nigeria rail system. He added, “The procurement contract of these tank wagons comes with spare parts, and one year’s worth of consumables. It also includes testing and commissioning on delivery, and training of the NRC engineers in utilisation and maintenance, all for N650m with contract duration of 10 months. “These tank wagons were procured primarily by the NRC to enhance the movement of petroleum products across the country by rail. They were specifically designed and manufactured for our existing narrow gauge rail system with advanced technologies and serviceable parts and materials used in domestic railway wagons.” He added the corporation was partnering private companies to ensure the effectiveness of the rail system. “The capacity of the wagons is equivalent of a capacity of 45,000 litres totalling 900,000 litres for 20 tanks wagons, all to be moved by one locomotive. I can confirm that the NRC is working with Total Plc in developing a Memorandum of Understanding to be signed by both parties on the movement of Total petroleum products by rail,” Sijuwade said. November 20, 2013 by Sodiq Oyeleke http://www.punchng.com/business/transport/nrc-buys-20-wagons-to-move-petroleum-products/

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Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE

Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner