On Feb. 5, the Nigerian Ministry of Transport and GE Transportation announced that the Nigerian Railway Corporation had taken delivery of five C25 diesel locomotives. Another 20 locomotives will be delivered in the second half of 2010.
The Model C25 six-axle locomotives were built by GE Transportation South America, GE Transportation's affiliate facility located in Brazil. The locomotives feature GE's 7FDL 12-cylinder, 2,500 horsepower engine, which was supplied by GE Transportation's diesel engine manufacturing plant in Grove City, Pa. The locomotives were designed specifically to accommodate Nigeria's weight per axle and clearance characteristics.
Lorenzo Simonelli, president and CEO of GE Transportation, said, "We are excited today with the arrival of the first locomotives as this represents an important step in GE Transportation's entry into the Nigerian market place. GE experts performed an extensive analysis on Nigeria's narrow-gauge railway network, haulage requirements and traffic patterns to determine the best-fit locomotive. We are honored to support the country's rail infrastructure growth and are looking forward to working with our Nigerian partners."
In May 2009, GE and the Federal Republic of Nigeria signed a "Country to Company" agreement aimed at promoting greater collaboration between GE and Nigerian public and private sector organizations that are driving infrastructure projects across the country. Nigeria is looking to improve energy, water, rail, healthcare, security, and aviation under its Vision 2020 economic blueprint.