The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Alhaji Abdulrahman Abubakar, who disclosed this to newsmen said the delegation would consist of ministers of finance, communication, transport, power and steel.

"The President is very serious about revitalisation of the railways and a lot is being done to ensure that rehabilitation is carried out promptly and efficiently," he said.

Abubakar explained that the delegation was going with a view to securing a loan from the Chinese government.

He, however, said government's concession of the railways was on course as a transaction adviser had been selected by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to handle this.

Abubakar said further that as part of efforts to rehabilitate the railways, discussions had reached an advanced stage with the Nigeria Ports Authority for the reactivation of the rail lines at the ports.

He said within the first quarter of 2006, the rail lines at Apapa port would have been reactivated.

He added that plans were also in the offing to construct standard gauge lines from Lagos to Abuja.

"This year, we are hoping to live up to the expectation of Nigerians, "Abubakar added.