LAGOS-IBADAN STANDARD GAUGE LINE FOR PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSIONING

 

  • ·         Train frequency to increase
  • ·         Inauguration to mark commencement of movement of containers from Apapa Port to Ibadan on standard gauge track
  • ·         Train speed to increase

 

The Lagos-Ibadan 156 kilometres Standard Gauge Line is set for presidential inauguration today Thursday, June 10, 2021.

President Muhammadu Buhari , GCFR is expected to be physically present to perform the inauguration at the at the Mobolaji Johnson Railway Station, Lagos.

“We are not sure he will personally come to commission the project. It might also be a virtual commissioning like that of Agbor and Kano although the programme says president arrives tomorrow to commission” A source in Nigerian Railway Corporation said.

The expectation of a presidential presence in Lagos might be realized after all, as air crafts were seen yesterday, Wednesday hovering over the Lagos Station area apparently on routine security check.

RAILWAYMAN also gathered that the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi who has relentlessly worked for the timely conclusion of the Lagos-Ibadan Railway Line yesterday led the Presidential Committee of the project on an inspection visit to Ibadan “to ensure that the work at the other stations on the line are also ready.”

A visit to the Mobolaji Johnson Station at Alagomeji, Ebute-Metta West of Lagos showed workers pitting finishing touches to the Venue inside the massive waiting hall of the railway station adjudged to be the biggest in Africa, ranking with Glasgow Station in UK and other top rated railway stations in the world.

The Lagos-Ibadan Railway Line is the first segment of the Lagos-Kano Standard Gauge Line. Honourable Rotimi Amaechi disclosed three weeks ago during his monthly inspection visit of the Lagos-Ibadan Railway Line project that the inauguration would take place in the third week of June. It is interesting to note that this target has been beaten.

This inauguration is also expected to be a flag off for the movement of containers and other freights from Apapa Port to Ibadan by standard gauge to help with port de-congestion, which is also one of the huge achievements of this government as the initial contract for the Lagos-Ibadan Line terminated at Ebute-Metta Junction.

The train speed of the Lagos-Ibadan passenger train service which began commercial operations last November is expected to improve from 2 hours 40 minutes to two hours.   

Similarly, the number of trips is expected to increase from the one round trip per day to two return trips or more. 



The hall

Escalators at the Lagos Railway Station
Side view of the station from the station platform
The station yard- photo credit: Kingsley
Photo credit: Onuaha Kingsley
 

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