The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared two months free train ride for passengers on the Lagos – Abeokuta rail route. This is coming ahead of the completion of the standard gauge rail.
Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, Nigeria's minister of Transportation, made the disclosure during a routine inspection of the project on Friday while revealing that the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo would flag off the free train ride on Wednesday next week (February 6). Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Engr. Fidet Okhiria had last week said the Lagos-Abeokuta axis would be completed in 10 days.
It is on the records that the Lagos-Abeokuta covers 85 kilometers of the entire 156-kilometer stretch of the project and as at the time of filing this report, the contractor, the China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC), has virtually completed the track laying. The Minister who spoke with newsmen commended the progress made so far, adding that two coaches would be deployed from Itakpe-Warri railway station to make four coaches which would run the free ride for two months.
He said, “I am impressed. The Vice-President will ride the train on February 6. He is coming to flag off the passengers’ use of the first phase from Lagos to Abeokuta which would reduce travel time from 1 hour 30 minutes to 45 minutes.” On the Lagos axis, the Minister assured that it would be ready by the end of June 2019.
“They have gone far with the civil works. So the problem they have now is that they have to blast the rock which they are doing so that before the end of June, what will be the problem is stations and communication system”, he added. On litigation challenge, he insisted that the government has paid the requisite compensation to owners of properties demolished on the right of way.
However, there was a mild drama in the course of the inspection as residents of Agbado protested to the Minister over erosion allegedly caused by the ongoing project. Some of the residents appealed to the government to widen the water channels to allow free flow of traffic.
Mrs. Ajisekola Fausat who lives on Adesola street in Agbado said the erosion started when it rained four days ago, urging the Minister to come to their aid.