Minister of Transportation, Mr.
Rotimi Amaechi, has assured that by early June this year, the rail transport
system would ready for use between Lagos and Ibadan. The Lagos-Abeokuta rail
had been completed earlier in the year as passengers were offered a three-month
free ride. The period of free ride was however later shortened.
Amaechi who spoke to some
journalists over the weekend noted that his commitment to the full take off of
rail transportation in Nigeria is aimed at making life easier and better for
Nigerians. He undertakes rail inspection trips at least twice in a month. The
Ghanaian government recently sent a team led by its Minister of Rail
Development, Hon. Joe Ghartey, to come and understudy the progress being made
in Nigeria’s rail projects.
The Lagos-Ibadan rail project is
being executed at the cost of $1.6 billion, which is being funded from the loan
from the Chinese government. He explained that the hitherto abandoned
Itakpe-Wari rail line has been completed and has commenced operation. It shall,
for a start, be carrying 100 passengers per trip, until more coaches are
purchased. The Itakpe-Warri rail line was abandoned for 34 years.
“It is one rail project that we did not borrow
a dime to complete. President Muhammadu Buhari was and still enthusiastic in
driving the rail project in Nigeria as a way of improving the nation’s economy.
The Itakpe –Warri rail line was revived and completed with $200m. Presently,
the Railway Village which was burnt is being rehabilitated, just as the Railway
yard (which will comprise school, hospital and maintenance units) is being
built in Agbor, Delta State,” he said.
Amaechi further noted that the
cost of land and other properties on the rail corridor have all gone up as many
people are already scrambling to buy lands and properties along such places in
anticipation of the economies that will be built within those areas.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com