Saraki signs bill to re-enact Nigerian Railway Corporation

– The Nigeria Railway Corporation Act, 1955 Repeal and Re- enactment Bill, 2016 has been passed – Senate President Bukola Saraki said the bill was aimed at providing a legislative framework that opens up Nigeria’s railway system – He commended the the Senate Committee on Land Transport and his colleagues for the thorough job
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– The Nigeria Railway Corporation Act, 1955 Repeal and Re- enactment Bill, 2016 has been passed

– Senate President Bukola Saraki said the bill was aimed at providing a legislative framework that opens up Nigeria’s railway system

– He commended the the Senate Committee on Land Transport and his colleagues for the thorough job

The Senate President Bukola Saraki, on Friday, July 22, advocated for more private sector intervention in the Nigerian Railway sector. Speaking at the signing of the Senate’s Bill to Repeal and Re-enact the Nigerian Railway Corporation Act of 1955, Saraki stated that the bill was aimed at providing a legislative framework that opens up Nigeria’s railway system to private sector participation. Saraki stated that the changes in the law are also aimed at promoting competition in the railway system. “In order to make the service more affordable, effective and accessible to every single Nigerian. “The framework which the Senate has passed places emphasis on the maintenance culture and longevity of our rail systems,” Saraki said. The Senate President further commended the the Senate Committee on Land Transport, which is Chaired by Senator Gbenga Ashafa, for the thorough job that they did in putting together the final version of the Bill.

Meanwhile,Chris Okoye, the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, sent the Senate President a message congratulating the Senate on the passage of this law. In a private text message, the President of the Society stated that the 8th Senate has achieved a feat that “seemed like impossibility for more than 40 years.” The Senate President, elated by the accomplishment, remarked on the next steps that need to be taken to bring the law into existence. “It is my hope that this Bill,” Saraki said, “will be given expedited passage in the House of Representatives and signed into law by Mr. President for the benefit of Nigerians across the country,” he said. However, the Nigeria Railway Corporation Act, 1955 Repeal and Re- enactment Bill, 2016 has been passed by the Nigerian Senate.

The bill, which passed on Thursday, July 21, was sponsored by Senator Olugbenga Ashafa (APC Lagos East). The Lagos state senator said that the bill has separated the regulator from the operators, adding that with the passing of the bill, Nigerians should expect a radical change in the sector. Meanwhile, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, the wife of the Senate President has been selected to speak at this year’s White House Global Development Summit in Washington DC. Mrs. Saraki who is also the President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), will be speaking on the progress made in moving towards achieving Global Development Goals (GDGs) and also emphasising on the fact that there is so much left to be done. She will also speak on the importance of midwives in reducing the rate of maternal and new born mortality and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).