Adebiyi Orders Three-Year Durability Standard, Local Engineers’ Training For Rail Projects
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Funso Adebiyi, has directed contractors handling railway projects across the country to prioritise infrastructure durability, establish sustainable maintenance systems and train Nigerian engineers before handing over completed facilities to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
Adebiyi said the measures were designed to prevent premature deterioration of railway infrastructure, strengthen local technical capacity and reduce the country’s reliance on foreign contractors for the operation and maintenance of rail facilities.
He gave the directive during a joint fact-finding inspection of the ongoing Kano Railway Station construction project, attended by ministry officials, agency representatives and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Transportation and Mobility, Prince Ademola Adetokunbo Ade-John.
The permanent secretary stressed that contractors must use high-quality, durable materials and avoid short-life consumables that could increase maintenance costs and undermine the long-term performance of railway facilities.
He specifically directed that bulbs and lighting fittings installed in the facilities must have a minimum lifespan of three years. He also called for the provision of customised lamp holders and mobile motorised equipment to simplify replacements and improve maintenance efficiency.
Adebiyi further instructed contractors to provide mechanised cleaning equipment for maintaining glass structures at railway terminals. He emphasised the need to consider thermal expansion and contraction in the design and maintenance of the facilities to ensure their durability.
He also cautioned against excessive dependence on diesel-powered generators and other costly energy solutions, noting that such arrangements could undermine the long-term sustainability of railway infrastructure.
As part of efforts to strengthen local expertise, Adebiyi directed the Managing Director of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, who was represented by the Director of Corporate Planning, Dr. James Zang, to assemble a team of young, qualified Nigerian engineers for an intensive month-long practical training programme.
The programme is expected to equip the engineers with the technical knowledge and practical skills required to operate the facilities, replace consumables and carry out routine maintenance after the projects are handed over to the corporation.
He insisted that the training must take place locally and include rigorous assessments through computer-based examinations. He warned that staff who fail the tests would face consequences in line with applicable Civil Service regulations.
According to him, priority should be given to engineers aged 35 and below who have at least 20 years of service remaining, to promote continuity, accountability and career development within the railway system.
The initiative is also expected to help the NRC develop a technically competent workforce capable of independently managing railway infrastructure, preserving public assets and reducing the need for foreign technical assistance.
Adebiyi reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure development, stressing that railway projects must deliver value for public funds, facilitate effective technology transfer and ensure a smooth transition to competent Nigerian professionals.
He maintained that the success of railway investments should not be measured solely by the completion of construction works but also by the durability of the facilities and the ability of local personnel to operate and maintain them efficiently.
The directive forms part of broader efforts to ensure that railway infrastructure investments provide lasting benefits, minimise avoidable maintenance costs and strengthen the capacity of Nigerian institutions to manage critical transport facilities.
