The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi,
says that Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail project is about 80 per cent completed and
will be ready soon.
says that Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail project is about 80 per cent completed and
will be ready soon.
Amaechi, disclosed
this during the inspection tour of the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail line in Agbor.
this during the inspection tour of the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail line in Agbor.
He also stated that
the rail line would be completed before the scheduled date, adding that the
tracks were ready, only the stations were left to be completed.
the rail line would be completed before the scheduled date, adding that the
tracks were ready, only the stations were left to be completed.
“It is between 70 to
80 per cent completed, but you must know that this job is meant to be completed
in 2019.
80 per cent completed, but you must know that this job is meant to be completed
in 2019.
“However, we are
compelling them (the contractors) and because we are pushing them, they are
working day and night to have it done.
compelling them (the contractors) and because we are pushing them, they are
working day and night to have it done.
“If it is time
frame, they are well ahead of schedule. It is meant to be completed in 2019 and
what we are doing here is what we are doing in Lagos-Ibadan and that project is
actually a three-year contract. But we are forcing them to complete it in
one-year period.
frame, they are well ahead of schedule. It is meant to be completed in 2019 and
what we are doing here is what we are doing in Lagos-Ibadan and that project is
actually a three-year contract. But we are forcing them to complete it in
one-year period.
“Just like this is
supposed to end by 2019 but we are saying no, you must leave site before October.
supposed to end by 2019 but we are saying no, you must leave site before October.
“However, we had a
verbal agreement with them to quit site by June 2018,” the minister said.
verbal agreement with them to quit site by June 2018,” the minister said.
Amaechi stated that
the government had no apology when it comes to borrowing to fund infrastructure
in Nigeria.
the government had no apology when it comes to borrowing to fund infrastructure
in Nigeria.
Speaking, Mr Fidet
Okhiria, the Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), said
that by September the train operation would commence to maintain the tracks.
Okhiria, the Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), said
that by September the train operation would commence to maintain the tracks.
According to him, if
the government waits for all the 12 train stations to be completed, the tracks
will go bad.
the government waits for all the 12 train stations to be completed, the tracks
will go bad.
“Technically, with
the level of work now, we can run the train from Itakpe-Warri safely, the next
stage is to make the convenience for passengers available which is the stations
building.
the level of work now, we can run the train from Itakpe-Warri safely, the next
stage is to make the convenience for passengers available which is the stations
building.
“It is possible to
operate now with one train, as far as we have communication signals and for the
stations, some will be completed in August, some September, but we are not
going to wait for that or else the tracks will go bad, so as a train operator,
we will not wait,” Okhiria said.
operate now with one train, as far as we have communication signals and for the
stations, some will be completed in August, some September, but we are not
going to wait for that or else the tracks will go bad, so as a train operator,
we will not wait,” Okhiria said.
Mr Chiedu Nwazojie,
the Project Manager of Itakpe-Warri Railway Project, said that the project has
a total of 12 stations but they are presently working on eight stations.
the Project Manager of Itakpe-Warri Railway Project, said that the project has
a total of 12 stations but they are presently working on eight stations.
He said that the
whole project was 302 kilometres (km), with rehabilitation ongoing 52km, which
was from Itakpe to Ajaokuta, changing the wooden sleepers to concrete sleepers
ones.
whole project was 302 kilometres (km), with rehabilitation ongoing 52km, which
was from Itakpe to Ajaokuta, changing the wooden sleepers to concrete sleepers
ones.
He said that they
are working on Agenebode station, Itakpe, Eganyi, Ajaokuta, Itogbo, Uromi,
Igueben-Ekhen, Igbanke and Agbor, which is the central station at the moment.
are working on Agenebode station, Itakpe, Eganyi, Ajaokuta, Itogbo, Uromi,
Igueben-Ekhen, Igbanke and Agbor, which is the central station at the moment.
He, however,
complained that the progress of work is being affected by the rainy season,
stating that the initial August dateline might not be feasible.(NAN)
complained that the progress of work is being affected by the rainy season,
stating that the initial August dateline might not be feasible.(NAN)
