It is with a heavy heart that I, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Ibrahim Ayokunle ISIAKA (Aare Asoludero of Egbaland pen this memo, reflecting on the journey and sacrifices that I made from the year 2016 in pursuit of Nigeria’s infrastructural progress—an endeavor driven by the spirit of nationalism, patriotism, and an unwavering belief in our collective future.
Over those years, I dedicated countless energies to the conceptualization, front-end engineering, and actualization of the modern standard gauge railway system in some selected regions of Nigeria starting with Lagos to Abeokuta (which I used the opportunity to establish the Assembly Plant at Kajola) and by extension tobIbadan, the Standard Guage Railway System. As the representative of the National Assembly on the projects, I drew upon over two decades of experience in the Oil and Gas sector, leveraging this knowledge to ensure that our ambitions aligned with both local content policies and international standards.
I vividly recall the initial design, which envisioned an electric train system with 48 electric cables traversing our corridors—a marvel of modern engineering, yet fraught with vulnerabilities. During a pivotal meeting in China, I vehemently opposed this plan, citing concerns about our societal attitude towards vandalism and the risk it posed to public infrastructure. My presentation was met with stunned silence; even the Chinese stakeholders and engineers found it hard to believe that anyone could dare to tamper with such critical infrastructure.
Persuading the engineering team to reconsider, I advocated for a switch to Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs), believing it to be a safer, more resilient solution. My apprehension stemmed from the harsh reality that it would take only 24 hours to vandalize the entire 48-cable system—an eventuality that would render the project vulnerable and undermine its sustainability.
Furthermore, I persuaded the Chinese contractors to adopt specific engineering measures—using stud bolts instead of clips, welding bolts and nuts to metal sleepers—to enhance the durability and security of the tracks. Regrettably, as I observe the current state of the project, I am disheartened to see that many of these ideas seem to have been jettisoned, undermining the very safeguards we envisioned.
Having traveled multiple times with the team from the Ministry of Transport to China, I have witnessed firsthand the meticulous planning and engineering that went into this project. Watching recent videos of the progress, my heart bleeds—knowing the efforts, the sacrifices, and the steadfast conviction that once fueled this pursuit now seem overshadowed by neglect and perhaps complacency.
How do we describe this? How do we reconcile the dreams and dedication with the current disheartening reality? It is a poignant reminder of how fragile our infrastructural ambitions can be, especially when driven by factors beyond our control or understanding.
I share this reflection not to cast blame but to underscore the importance of vigilance, commitment, and unwavering dedication to our national projects. Our journey has been arduous, and while the road ahead remains uncertain, I hope that by recounting these moments, we can rekindle the spirit that once propelled us forward.
Let us not forget the sacrifices made and the vision we held—may it inspire us to persevere, to protect our investments, and to restore the pride in Nigeria’s infrastructural future.
Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Ibrahim Ayokunle ISIAKA MP-FRN
Deputy Chief Whip
