Lagos-Ibadan Rail Project To Be Ready For Use By January 2019 – FG

The Federal Government on Wednesday gave assurances that despite the challenges been encountered in the construction of the Lagos-Ibadan rail project, Nigerians would start enjoying the rail line’s services by January 2019.

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, gave the assurance after the monthly meeting of the Lagos-Ibadan Rail line Project Steering Committee at the Ibadan Railway Yard, Ibadan, Oyo State.

A statement issued in Abuja by Yetunde Sonaike, Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Transportation, quoted Amaechi as saying, “We hope this project will be completed within the life span of construction. Nigerians are putting us under immense pressure.

“This contract is for three years and we are doing it within one year and two months. Our target is December 2018, but at most in January 2019, Nigerians will start to enjoy the dividends of democracy.”

He revealed that a committee chaired by the Board Chairman of the NRC, Usman Abubakar, with representatives from the Nigerian Army, NRC, Lagos State Government, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and CCECC, has been set up to look into the various challenges been experienced by the project.

The minister also disclosed that the government is seeking an alternative land to build a railway station in Abeokuta as against the N2.8bn expected to be paid as compensation for the current site been proposed.