The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has said that the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail project will be completed in the first week of May.
Speaking during the inspection tour of the project on Saturday, the Minister said with the level of work done so far, he could assure Nigerians that before the first week of May, the project must have been completed.
“We’ve inspected Dk 102, and the only place we are having challenges is kilometre 102, but CCECC has assured that by Monday 8th of April, they must have completed the tracks.
“Also at Kilometer 110, we are having soil challenges and that is what they are working on now. Another challenge is at Kilometer 116 which also has soil issue but geological suvey has been done and they have discovered that there is high water level in those place.
“So, I am very impressed with the work done so far. Although they didn’t meet up with my expectations, but you will agree with me that they are humans and not machine.
“But, we expect them to do track laying to kilometer 95; they have done sub-laying to Kilometer 98, so what they have not done is track laying and they said when I come for inspection in one week time they will have done the track laying up to Kilometer 98 and they will start laying the beam to cross the bridge at kilometer 98.”
Amaechi expressed confidence that the project would not be abandoned and that he would see to it that before the first week of May, the project would be completed.
“The project cannot be abandoned when you know that the funding comes from the Nexim Bank and we have finished paying our own fund. So, why will it be abandoned? Also, having won the election, it means same government that started the project will finish it”, he said
Speaking on additional funding on the budget, he said when the project is completed the cabinet would seat down, “and as soon as we get approval that is when we can speak on additional funds.”
He explained that by May, what would be remaining is construction of buildings.
Also speaking during the inspection tour, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shipper’s Council, Barrister Hassan Bello, commended the level of work done so far adding that with the rail in place there would be healthy competition.
“This is very impressive because the last time we came, we stopped at Kilometer 101 and now is progressing but by the end of May tracks laying would have gotten to Ibadan.
“This will bring opportunities to investors with about 10 stations which we are going to have and it will create employment in the communities”.
The Minister of Railway Development, Ghana, Mr Joe Ghartey, who accompanied the Minister on the occasion, said he was impressed with the level of job done so far and would take that home as a blueprint for their railway sector in Ghana.
