By Chesa Chesa
Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has welcomed provisions in the 2026 Federal Budget aimed at modernising key rail corridors and advancing plans to extend the Itakpe rail line to Abuja.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the lawmaker linked the development to his sustained legislative interventions and oversight efforts on Nigeria’s rail infrastructure, particularly the Ujevwu–Itakpe corridor.
Dafinone recalled that on July 7, 2025, he conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the Ujevwu–Itakpe Train Service, personally boarding the train from Ujevwu to Itakpe alongside his team to evaluate the condition of the rail infrastructure and identify operational challenges.
According to him, the visit informed his subsequent advocacy for the extension of the rail line to Abuja, describing it as critical to strengthening national connectivity and unlocking economic opportunities.
The senator further noted that on November 4, 2025, he raised a motion on the floor of the Senate drawing urgent attention to recurring derailments and service disruptions on the corridor. In the motion, he called for a comprehensive investigation into the state of the rail infrastructure, immediate rehabilitation of vandalised sections, and the introduction of improved safety and operational measures.
He also urged the Federal Government to prioritise the extension of the rail line from Itakpe to Abuja, describing it as a strategic link capable of easing long-distance travel, boosting commerce, and accelerating economic development across multiple regions.
“I am pleased to note that, following this intervention and sustained advocacy, the Federal Government has now made provision in the 2026 Budget for the engagement of technical and financial experts to drive the concession and modernisation process of the Abuja–Baro–Itakpe rail line and the strategic Aladja–Warri Port segment,” Dafinone said.
He explained that the budget also includes provisions for the installation of electrical and water supply infrastructure, as well as the construction of protective fencing along railway corridors in Abraka and Oruwhorun on the Itakpe–Ajaokuta–Aladja rail line.
Describing the development as a significant milestone, the lawmaker said it represents a step toward building a safer, more efficient, and economically impactful rail transportation system in Nigeria.
He reiterated his commitment to promoting infrastructure development, national integration, and improved connectivity, noting that enhanced rail services would play a key role in driving economic growth and improving the quality of life for Nigerians.
