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Former Minister of Transport Mr. Rotimi Amaechi has emphasized the significant potential of the wagon assembly plant in Kajola, Ogun State, to create employment opportunities, facilitate knowledge transfer, and enhance rail transport in Nigeria. He made this statement during the inaugural transport summit organized by the Transportation Correspondents Association of Nigeria in Lagos on Thursday.
Amaechi explained that the plant was established to enable Nigeria to produce wagons and other rolling stocks essential for railway development. “There are so many things we had in the rail project that most other countries did not get,” he stated, highlighting the commissioning of the facility at Prof. Yemi Osinbajo Train Station in Kajola in 2023.
He pointed out that the Kajola Locomotive and Wagon Rolling Stock plant was not included in the Lagos-Ibadan Rail Project. However, he insisted that the Chinese contractors involved in the project build the facility to help Nigeria gain expertise in wagon and rolling stock manufacturing. “I told the Chinese that I was going to give them a contract to supply Nigeria with 200 rolling stocks. However, I stated that I would not approve the contract if they did not build a wagon assembly plant in Nigeria,” Amaechi said, noting that the agreement was ultimately signed.
Amaechi also shared his vision of creating jobs and alleviating foreign exchange pressures through local production capabilities. He revealed that he had requested the establishment of a Transportation University by a Chinese contractor, which has been successfully completed.
Having observed locomotive production practices in South Africa, Amaechi stressed the importance of local knowledge and production, stating, “I demanded that the Chinese should build a wagon and rolling stock depot in Nigeria.”
He concluded by urging continued investment in the transport sector to foster further growth and development.
