05 February 2010
First GE Locomotives Arrive in Nigeria
New technology for Nigeria’s rail system
Erie, Pennsylvania, USA and Lagos, Nigeria (February 5, 2010) The Nigerian Ministry of Transport and GE Transportation announced today that the Nigerian Railway Corporation has taken delivery of the first five C25 diesel locomotives – introducing new technology to Nigeria’s rail system. The locomotives will be used for both freight and passenger service. The remaining 20 locomotives will be delivered in the second half of 2010.
The Model C25 six-axle locomotives (photo left) were built by GE Transportation South America, GE Transportation’s affiliate facility located in Brazil. The locomotives feature GE’s reliable 7FDL 12-cylinder, 2,500 horsepower engine that was supplied by GE Transportation’s diesel engine manufacturing plant in Grove City, USA. The locomotives were designed specifically to accommodate Nigeria’s weight per axle and clearance characteristics.
GE Transportation South America has built GE diesel electric locomotives including AC44, Dash 9 and the C Series in Brazil since 1967, and has produced more than 1,000 locomotives, operating in over 15 countries around the world. Locomotives similar to the C25 are already successfully hauling freight in South Africa. Approximately 17,000 GE locomotives are in use in more than 50 countries around the world.
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.”
Commitment to Nigeria
GE has a long-standing relationship with Nigeria in other sectors such as energy, aviation, and oil & gas, with over 170 employees in country. In May last year, GE and the Federal Republic of Nigeria signed a landmark “Country to Company” agreement aimed at promoting greater collaboration between GE and Nigerian public and private sector organizations that are driving critical infrastructure projects across the country. Nigeria is looking to improve energy, water, rail, healthcare, security and aviation under its Vision 2020 economic blueprint.
About GE Transportation
Established more than 100 years ago, GE Transportation, a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is a global technology leader and supplier to the railroad, marine, drilling, and mining and wind industries. GE Transportation provides freight and passenger locomotives, signaling and communications systems, information technology solutions, marine engines, motorized drive systems for mining trucks and drills, high-quality replacement parts and value added services. GE Transportation is headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania, USA, and employs approximately 8,000 employees worldwide. For more information visit www.getransportation.com.
About Nigerian Railway Corporation
Nigerian Railway Corporation operates a network of 3,505 kilometers (2,178 mi) of single-track lines, all have 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) gauge.
GE Corporate Africa Media Contact:
Justus Waimiri
Tel: + 254 2726 222 (office)
Tel: +254 722 35 32 42 (cell)
justus.waimiri@ge.com GE Brazil Media Contact:
Alexandre Alfredo
Tel: + 55-11-30678287 (office)
Tel: + 55-11-87577390 (cell)
alexandre.alfredo@ge.com
