BY AKINTOLA OMIGBODUN

We have recently marked the passing of 100 years since the north and south of Nigeria were brought together as one administrative unit under British rule.

Individuals would readily have a celebration on the attainment of 70 years on earth, given that we have accepted our mortality. However, nations can live forever and when there is a call for a celebration, there could be sharply contrasting views as to whether there are achievements worthy of celebration.

Nigeria obtained her independence from British rule in 1960, about halfway in the century we are now marking. I recall that there were celebrations across the whole of the country. As a secondary school student, we had a special luncheon in the boarding house to mark the occasion.

The Federal Government of Nigeria, FGN, decided that the centenary celebrations would be a restricted government event with a charity event in Lagos, a conference and special presentations to 100 persons in Abuja.

There is a monument to our independence in Lagos – the Independence Building at Tafawa Balewa Square. This building served as FGN offices until several years back when the building was damaged in a fire event.

The contract for the restoration of the building stands abandoned. If we abandon the monument to our independence, is there any hope that any of the things we have done since independence would also not be abandoned in what appears to be a relentless drive towards the award of new contracts for projects without any thought to completing contracts previously awarded and being executed?

There are other FGN buildings at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos that are not in a presentable state. The Cabinet Office which had the offices of the Prime Minister at independence has been partially damaged and there are weeds and shrubs springing from the top floor of part of this building.

The old Post and Telegraphs/Ministry of Communications building has been converted in part to residential use. The high rise building in the courtyard of the old Works Department building could be put to better use. I hope that the restoration of the Independence Building would be completed and the building put back in use as an accomplishment of the FGN.

The railways were an important factor in the implementation of the economic policies of the British administration of Nigeria. Goods and agricultural produce were moved from the interior to the ports on the coast while manufactured items were moved in the opposite direction.

At independence, there was only one single track railway bridge across the River Niger at Jebba for north-south west movement and there was a similar bridge across the River Benue at Makurdi for north-south east movement.

Both railway bridges were used for road traffic between trains as there were no alternatives. In other places on the River Niger and River Benue, there were ferry services for vehicles and persons wishing to cross the river.

The railways were of a narrow gauge, built when modern earth moving equipment was not available and hence they follow a winding route with relatively steep slopes resulting in long journey times. The FGN has always given the impression that the existing railways would be reconstructed to a standard gauge from Lagos. This has not happened to date.

However, there is a standard gauge rail line from Itakpe iron ore deposits to Ajaokuta both in Kogi State, then southwards to Edo State and to the coast in Delta State. The FGN is also building a standard gauge rail line from Abuja to Kaduna and the FGN should build a rail line from Ajaokuta to Lokoja to Abuja.

We would then have a standard gauge rail line from Kaduna to Abuja to Lokoja and to the coast in Delta State as the start of standard gauge service between the north and the south. Subsequently, the existing railways can be reconstructed to a standard gauge.

The opportunity therefore exists for government to have a standard gauge service as an accomplishment within the time-frame of an administration.