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| File Photo: The Honourable Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaehi |
Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi,
has assured that by early June this year, the rail transport system would be ready for use between Lagos and Ibadan.
has assured that by early June this year, the rail transport system would be 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
passengers per trip, until more coaches are purchased.
The Itakpe-Warri rail line was abandoned
for 34 years.
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.
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.
$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 also noted that
the cost of land and other properties on the rail corridor had all gone up as
many people were already scrambling to buy parcels of land and property along such
places, in anticipation of the economies that would be built within those areas.
the cost of land and other properties on the rail corridor had all gone up as
many people were already scrambling to buy parcels of land and property along such
places, in anticipation of the economies that would be built within those areas.
Agency Report.
