The Abia State Government and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to pave the way for the construction of an access road across the railway corridor in Umuahia, the state capital.
The agreement was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, by Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, Chief Press Secretary to the Abia State Governor, following the signing ceremony at the Governor’s Office.
The proposed road will link Okpara Square and Akanu Ibiam Street (Goodshed) to Bende Road, with the project expected to improve connectivity and ease traffic congestion around the railway corridor.
Speaking at the event, Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, said the project formed part of his administration’s broader plan to give Umuahia a facelift and address transportation challenges in the state capital.
“And that’s why it is important that we have this. Because there are a lot of things, like I told you (MD), the last time, what we have in mind.
“And by the time we integrate the mega station into the terminal, it will become a transportation hub.
“So, with the railway station, with the bus terminal, and of course, every other thing that goes with it to be in the same place. And it will look nice. So, now that we have this done, we can go ahead and commence,” Otti stated.
The governor directed the Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Isaac Chimezie Ukaegbu; Commissioner for Works, Engr. Otumchere Oti; General Manager of the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), Hon. Kingsley Agomuo, and other relevant officials to work with the NRC to ensure the project is delivered as quickly as possible.
Otti also appealed to the NRC Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, to consider increasing the number of trains operating on the Port Harcourt-Aba route, stressing the need to integrate rail and road transportation to improve mobility across the state and the Southeast.
“See how we can do that. For us here, I’m sure you may have seen in the news that the new electric buses have come in, increasing the number to 40. Another 30 is on the way.
“So, that will be the bus covering the entire State. So, if we have the railway, including the other one I mentioned to you that I’m thinking about, and we are working with brother Governors in the Southeast to also integrate all our States on a rail network that will not belong to NRC, but will be supported hugely by NRC. That’s the way it works, everywhere in the world,” Otti stated.
The governor further addressed the relocation of the existing police station within the railway corridor, directing the UCDA General Manager to relocate it temporarily within the facility and prepare a design for a new railway station incorporating a police station.
He directed that the proposed design be forwarded to the NRC for consideration.
Otti also thanked Opeifa for using Abia as an example to other states and commended Mr. Francis Ejike from Enugu State, who was appointed Regional Head of the Nigerian Railway Corporation in the Southeast.
“I want to thank you. And I want to congratulate Ejike for doing his job well and getting to the level very quickly where the MD can say, once Ejike is there, the is problem solved,” the governor said.
NRC Endorses Abia’s Transport Initiative
Earlier, Opeifa said the MoU was designed to facilitate the construction of the access road through the railway corridor in Umuahia.
He explained that the agreement would enable the state government to construct the road linking Okpara Square through Goodshed and Akanu Ibiam Road to Bende Road, improving connectivity and easing traffic within the capital.
According to him, Abia sought the NRC’s approval as part of its broader plan to transform the state’s transport sector, adding that the corporation approved the request after the state fulfilled all stipulated conditions.
Opeifa described the Abia Government as responsive and responsible, saying its commitment to due process informed the NRC’s decision to execute the agreement.
He also praised Otti’s leadership style, noting that he frequently cites the governor as a model of transformative governance and commending his commitment to collaboration and partnership irrespective of political affiliation.
The NRC managing director also lauded the administration’s infrastructure development across Abia, describing the recently completed Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal as a top-notch project reflecting the government’s focus on improving transportation and mobility.
He requested that the existing police station within the railway corridor be relocated to a more suitable location and asked the state government to share the architectural design for the proposed new railway station with the corporation.
Opeifa expressed confidence that the partnership would strengthen infrastructure, improve mobility and contribute to economic growth in Abia.
The meeting was attended by the Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu; Commissioner for Works, Engr. Otumchere Oti; General Manager of UCDA, Hon. Kingsley Agomuo; and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport, Dr. Obioma Nwaogbe.
