The Senate has directed an immediate investigation and rehabilitation of the Ujevwu–Itakpe rail corridor following a motion sponsored by Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central), who raised alarm over recurring derailments, service suspensions, and worsening safety concerns on the strategic national route.
Rising on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, Dafinone described the repeated derailments and poor state of the Ujevwu–Itakpe Train Line as a major threat to passenger safety and economic growth.
He urged the Federal Government to undertake “an urgent investigation, full rehabilitation, and stronger safety measures to protect passengers and safeguard this vital national infrastructure.”
The Ujevwu–Itakpe rail corridor, which links the South-South through Delta State to the North-Central region, serves as a key artery for the movement of passengers, goods, and industrial materials. Dafinone lamented that the line’s deterioration and repeated service disruptions have inflicted hardship on commuters and disrupted supply chains essential to the nation’s economy.
The Delta Central lawmaker also called for the extension of the rail line from Itakpe to Abuja to ensure “full national rail connectivity.”
He further advocated improved maintenance systems and expansion of the operational fleet to meet rising demands for both passenger and cargo transportation.
Following deliberations, the Senate unanimously adopted all resolutions contained in the motion.
It directed the Ministry of Transportation and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to commence immediate repairs of vandalised tracks, conduct a comprehensive investigation into the state of Nigeria’s rail infrastructure, and consider the proposed Itakpe–Abuja extension.
Senator Dafinone noted that the move “reinforces our commitment to a safer, modern, and efficient rail system that drives economic growth and national development,” adding that a reliable rail network remains crucial to Nigeria’s industrialisation and regional integration agenda.
