Nigerian government has reiterated its commitment to complete the Lagos- Ibadan rail project by December, 2018. The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Ameachi who made the commitment when he inspected the project site in Papalanto, Ogun State, said that the project will be commissioned in January, 2019.
Briefing journalists after the inspection, Mr. Ameachi, expressed satisfaction over the level of work done already and urged the contractors to expedite work on the project in order to meet up with the stipulated deadline.
“We are impressed with the speed of work, they will start laying tracks by April, no longer December, we hope when they start, they will be able to conclude work before the end of December 2018, so that we can commission by January 2019.”
Be rest assured that we are pressuring the Chinese to finish in December 2018. Don’t forget the contract is three years and that is their argument but our own argument is that we need it before 2019 January,” Ameachi said.
On challenges facing the projects presently like gas pipeline, bridges and houses, the Minister said that those issues are been tackled to ensure that the project is completed within the stipulated date of scheduled for completion.
Mr. Ameachi said: “There is no way you can do construction without challenges in different forms and kinds and you have to address them.”
The challenges are not even here in Ogun, they are worse in Lagos. We are dealing with water, drainage, gas, power and the military.
The only thing we are dealing with here is just gas and a few power transmission lines and we can manage it.”
The Minister also hinted that the Jibowu and Costain bridges in Lagos State would be demolished but added that two new bridges will be constructed to replace the demolished ones.
He said: “I was on a tour with the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and we have agreed that the two bridges will come down.”
“The Lagos Ibadan railway project is estimated to cost $1.5billion. The project commences from Lagos, largest Nigerian coastal city, passes through Abeokuta to Ibadan.
The design routes will pass through three states of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo. The total length of main routes is 156.8 kilometer, double track, while the speed design is 150 kilometer per hour,” he said.
Mr. Amaechi also told Newsmen that two locomotives and ten coaches came into the country and that President Mohammadu Buhari will be commissioning them this December.
“President Muhammadu Buhari would Commission two locomotives and ten coaches before Christmas.”
The Minister added that government wants to make sure those travelling from Abuja to Kaduna, northern part of Nigeria, are able to use the new coaches.
