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| The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi |
The Vice President, Prof.
Yemi Osinbajo, will test run the ongoing contruction of Lagos – Ibadan Standard
Gauge railway next Wednesday, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi
Amaechi, has said.
Yemi Osinbajo, will test run the ongoing contruction of Lagos – Ibadan Standard
Gauge railway next Wednesday, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi
Amaechi, has said.
Speaking during an inspection ride on the standard gauge
train from Agbado to Abeokuta of Friday, Amaechi said that the public would
thereafter enjoy two-month free ride on the route from February 7.
He said: “The Vice President is expected to flag off the test
run of the standard gauge rail project on February 6 for passengers use.
Arrangement was being put in place for passengers to enjoy
free train for about two months between February and March.”
According to him, some coaches would be brought from
Warri-Itakpe standard gauge rail to supplement available coaches for passengers
use.
The minister said that work was in progress on the various
train stations within the numerous corridors.
He said he was satisfied with the job done on site, adding
that efforts had been put in place to expedite work between Agbado and Apapa
axis of the project.
He added: “The level of work would have been faster in Lagos
but due to some challenges of right of way in the city.”
The minister said that from February 7, passengers going to
Abeokuta would enjoy free train ride from Agabado, Lagos station to Abeokuta in
Ogun.
According to the minister, the rail project will further
bring about economic development in the area and Nigeria when ready.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the minister
inspected, among others, the Bolade-Oshodi, Iju-Fagba, Ijoko rail tracks to
assess the laying of rail tracks on the axis.
Mr. Fidet Okhiria, Managing Director, Nigerian
Railway Corporation, had said that the track laying of the project was moving
towards Lagos, adding that 1.5 kilometres tracks were laid every day.
Railway Corporation, had said that the track laying of the project was moving
towards Lagos, adding that 1.5 kilometres tracks were laid every day.
Okhiria said: “They have done a lot in laying of tracks
between Abeokuta, Itori, Papalanto, Kajola, Ijoko towards Lagos corridor.
“Within seven days the track laying will reach Iju towards
Agege corridor of Lagos State.
“From here to Iju it’s 10 kilometres, and we are laying 1.5
kilometers on daily basis and by first week of February we will do a test run
to Abeokuta from Lagos.
“All the formations have been put in place to expedite the
tracks laying.”
Jerry Oche, the NRC Lagos District Manager, said that the
train, when completed, would be travelling by 150 kilometres per hour on the
156 kilometres Lagos – Ibadan trip in less than two hours.
Oche said: “With the new standard gauge you can reside in
Ibadan and be working in Lagos which is a very good development to people and
for our economy.”
