The Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria on Tuesday said the agency is yet to receive over N330m allocated to it in the 2016 budget.

Okhiria told the Senate Committee on Land Transport that the agency was facing financial challenges and lack of equipment.

He said, “Critical infrastructure has to be put in place to avoid falling back to the dark days of the corporation that brought about stoppage of train services through zero budgeting for the corporation.

“I want to appeal to the distinguished Senators and members of the House of Representatives to come to our assistance as the railway is critical to economic development.

“It has the capacity to bring down cost of production if sustained.

“We believe you have the capacity to ensure not only robust yearly allocation, but also prompt budgetary releases to accomplish set goals.”

He further said the NRC would support the country’s economic development if funded well.

Azeez