Rehabilitation of the entire railway network, Nigeria

The Nigerian Government recognizes the importance and contribution of rail transportation to the economic growth of the country. Funding was made available via the Federal Ministry of Transport to rehabilitate the existing railway network which has deteriorated over the years and was no longer functional as a network system.

The railway network consists of approximately 3500km of 1067mm narrow gauge with numerous bridges, an old semaphore signalling system and disused locomotives.

The western line runs from Lagos to Kano whilst the eastern line runs from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri. Rehabilitation of the railway networks at Port Harcourt and Apapa ports operated by the Nigeria Ports Authority are also funded for rehabilitation.

Roughton was appointed to provide Project Management services in 2009 which involved managing the administration of the various Works Contracts awarded to implement the rehabilitation works.

Notably, we were asked to carry out an accelerated design for the rehabilitation of the entire 3,500km rail track over a period of 2 months, in addition to the preparation of contract documents and involvement in contractor procurement. The current capital expenditure is estimated to be approximately NGN103bn (£412m). Roughton is currently managing the following Works Contracts:

Western Line

Contract 1: Lagos to Jebba & Apapa Port (Contractor - CCECC) -488km
Contract 2: Jebba to Kano (Contractor – Costain West Africa) – 678km
Contract 6: Zaria to Kaura Namoda (Contractor Duluidas Nig Ltd) - 221km

Eastern Line

Contract 3: Port Harcourt to Makurdi (Contractor – Esser Contracting) – 463km
Contract 3a: Port Harcourt Port (Contractor – Metro Technical Ltd) - 1.4km
Contract 4: Makurdi to Kuru (Contractor –CGGC China) – 554km
Contract 5: Signalling Port Harcourt to Maiduguri (Contractor – Ansaldo South Africa) -1442km
Contract 7: Kuru to Maiduguri (Contractor Lingo Nig Ltd) – 640km

Locomotive Feasibility and Procurement

As a result of the on going rehabilitation work, a fleet of 25 locomotives were delivered to the Client for current operations on the already opened Western Line which runs from Lagos to Kano.

In June 2012 we were commissioned to provide a detailed condition survey of the rail network, including bridges and drainage structures.

Roughton continues to supervise and monitor the success of this project for the Federal Government.

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