SWDC secures provisional licence for Southwest ​‌‌⁠‌‌​​‌⁠‌​rail network

By Ibukun Emiola

The South West Development Commission (SWDC) said it would collaborate with Odu’a Investment Company Ltd. and the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission to develop an interconnected rail system capable of facilitating passenger movement and freight transportation across the South-West region.

SWDC said it has already secured a provisional licence to establish a comprehensive regional passenger and freight rail network connecting the six states of the South-West.

The Managing Director of SWDC, Dr Charles Akinola, disclosed this during a strategic meeting with regional stakeholders held at Cocoa House in Ibadan on Monday.

Akinola said that the commission

“We have secured provisional licence for rail for freight and passengers.

“We will work with Odu’a and DAWN to connect the Southwest with rail,” he said in a statement issued in Ibadan on Tuesday.

The SWDC boss said that the commission was also exploring other major infrastructure initiatives, including energy security and an integrated road transportation system.

“We are also planning energy security for the region.

“We are looking at constructing a road that will link Ore in Ondo State to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway for integrated transportation to open up the region.

“We are thinking of establishment of a South-West infrastructure development fund to complement the federal government’s funding,” he said.

Akinola said the commission was open to partnerships that would help revive the developmental vision associated with the region’s founding leaders, including Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Alhaji Lateef Jakande.

He commended the management of Odu’a Investment Company for repositioning the organisation and delivering billions of naira in dividends to its owner states.

The SWDC boss also described the Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in the South-West as critical stakeholders whose experience could contribute to regional development.

Also, Mr Demola Badejo, Regional President of the association, said the meeting was aimed at exploring areas of partnership and cooperation between the association and the three institutions.

Badejo said the association presented copies of its publication on a proposed economic development plan for the South-West to Odu’a Investment Company and SWDC as its contribution to the region’s development conversation.

He said the association was particularly pleased that the DAWN Commission collaborated in producing the publication.

Badejo described Odu’a Investment Company as a symbol of the collective economic interests and aspirations of the South-West states.

According to him, ongoing efforts are on to reposition the company, unlock the value of its assets and maximise their benefits to the people.

He also acknowledged DAWN Commission’s role in promoting regional integration, collaboration and coordinated development among the six South-West states.
He described the emergence of SWDC and its mandate as providing “a new and important platform” for coordinated intervention, infrastructure development and other developmental initiatives across the region.
 
On his part, Dr Oluseye Oyeleye, Director-General of DAWN Commission, said the region’s forebears demonstrated “audacity of thinking” through projects such as Cocoa House, Liberty Stadium, Odu’a Investment Company and the first television station in Africa.

Oyeleye said that the vision of the region’s founding leaders was focused on the next generation rather than the next election cycle.

“What our forebears did is audacity of thinking; they were not thinking of the next election but the next generation and taking the region to another level,” D-G said.

He identified Odu’a Investment Company, SWDC and DAWN Commission as key institutions in shaping the future of the South-West region and advocated a shift from divisive politics to “politics of development.”
 
Oyeleye also disclosed that DAWN Commission had collaborated with Egbe Omo Odu’a in the diaspora to establish funds for start-up capital for businesses across the region.
He said applications were being invited from interested beneficiaries.

The meeting was attended by stakeholders including Mr Yinusa Abdulraman, Group Managing Director of Odu’a Investment Company; Badejo; Oyeleye and other regional development stakeholders. (NAN)

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