Lagos/Ibadan Rail Lines ‘ll Be Ready December, Says Amaechi

The Federal Government has reiterated that the  Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail line would be delivered this December.

The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi restated this in Alausa Ikeja after a meeting held behind closed doors with the Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode.

Briefing newsmen alongside the Governor, Mr Amaechi who thanked members of the communities whose utilities/properties were affected by the construction stated that the contractors handling the project would commenced work on the Lagos axis next week on both the standard gauge lines.

The Minister who said the Lagos State Government had been very helpful in the payment of compensation to those affected said the Federal Government was looking for private partnership to build the two mega Stations in Lagos, one at  Apapa and the other at Ebute-Meta  which would be expanded to accommodate a mall and hotel.

Ameachi  said “ what we’ve decided is that CCECC should move back to  Lagos, construction should commence immediately in Lagos, because we are insisting that by December, we should complete the Lagos-Ibadan rail.”

Mr Amaecdhi who said discussions was also on with the contractor handling the narrow gauge lines explained that the newly awarded contract for Tin Can-Oworonshoki-Ojota road  would also aid in evacuating cargoes from the Ports in addition to the two rail lines which would both terminate at the Apapa sea port.

Governor Ambode who thanked the Federal Government as well as the Ministers of Works, Power and Housing for expediting action  described the efforts being made as a two-prong approach to ease the Apapa gridlock.

“We reiterate the commitment to collaborate with the Federal Government to make sure that we reduce the suffering if Lagosians to make sure that this particular rail project is delivered” Ambode said .

For the past three weeks, both the Federal and the State Governments have been making concerted efforts to find lasting solutions to the traffic gridlock which had caused a lock down on both businesses and private activities in the  Apapa axis

You will recall that the construction of railway project has been slow within Lagos State and its environs. The Minister of Transportation and the Governor of Lagos State is to find a lasting solution to the gray areas in the state.

The meeting is to  provide solution for problematic areas in the Lagos-Ibadan railway modernization contract within  Lagos state, including Apapa Sea Port.

Also both parties agreed that the construction works should commence next week, according to the Governor, the project will be completed within the period of twelve months.

The Governor thanked the Federal Government for their contributions, most especially the Honourable minister of Transportation,

for his effort in completion of rail projects in the South West