Umeh’s Persistent Advocacy Secures Approval of $3 Billion for Eastern Rail Line Revitalisation

By Tony Okafor, Awka

A long-standing demand for the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s Eastern rail corridor by Senator Victor Umeh, who represents Anambra Central Senatorial District, has received a major boost.

The Senate has approved the inclusion of $3 billion for its revitalisation in President Bola Tinubu’s proposed $21 billion foreign loan request.

Umeh has repeatedly drawn attention to the exclusion of the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri rail corridor during recent national infrastructure deliberations, including the 2025 budget defence sessions.

Rising on the floor of the Senate, Umeh expressed appreciation to the Presidency and the leadership of the upper chamber for what he described as a corrective step toward balanced national development.

He recalled that he had “passionately raised the issue of the exclusion of the Eastern corridor” during budget debates, stressing that the rail line remains a critical economic artery linking the South-East with the North-East.

The senator also commended Senate President Godswill Akpabio for providing him the platform to voice the concerns of stakeholders from the region and for pledging to escalate the matter to the Presidency.

“I was thrilled to see that $3 billion has now been allocated to the Eastern rail line. This inclusion in the foreign loan request fulfils a long-standing demand by the people of the South-East and other regions along the corridor,” Umeh said.

He further referenced President Tinubu’s engagement with stakeholders during a January visit to the South-East, noting that the development reflected responsiveness to regional concerns.

“With this move, the federal government has shown that it listens and acts. This is a significant step toward equitable development,” Umeh added.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, commended Umeh for constructive bipartisan engagement, insisting that national development must transcend party affiliations.

“This is the Nigeria we all want — where national interest comes first,” Akpabio said.

The Senate subsequently approved the President’s $21 billion external borrowing plan, which contains funding provisions for key infrastructure projects across the country.

The Eastern rail line, which has suffered years of neglect is expected to benefit significantly from the newly earmarked funds.

The decision has been widely interpreted within legislative circles as a win for infrastructure equity and national integration, particularly for communities along the Eastern corridor that have long advocated renewed federal attention to rail transportation as a catalyst for trade and mobility.

Analysts say the development could mark a turning point in efforts to restore balance to Nigeria’s transport infrastructure map, though implementation will ultimately determine its impact.