PMB LIVE IN LAGOS; FLAGS OFF LAGOS-IBADAN STANDARD RAILWAY

President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) indeed on Thursday, June 10,2021 flagged off commercial operations of Lagos-Ibadan railway project at the Mobolaji Johnson Railway Station, Ebute Metta, Lagos.

The president described the feat ‘‘as another milestone in the drive of this Administration to revitalize the railway system and establish it as a choice mode of transportation for both passengers and freight.’’

PMB noted that the Lagos- Ibadan 156 kilometres line “ establishes an end-to-end logistic supply chain in railway transport within its short corridor,… as goods to the hinterland would now be transported by rail directly from the Apapa Port Quayside straight to the Inland Container Depot located in Ibadan from where it can be distributed to other parts of the country.”

He further said that his administration has embarked on the completion of the outstanding segment of the Lagos – Kano railway, which is Ibadan – Kano.

According to him,‘‘the Lagos – Kano railway project when completed will link the Kano – Maradi line at Kano and a rail link from the Nigeria southern ports of Lagos to Maradi in Niger Republic will be achieved.”

The President expressed delight that his directive to the Federal Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Finance on reaching financial agreements with appropriate co-financiers to partner with the Federal Government for the development of the Ibadan – Kano railway was yielding results and further directed that the funding must also include connecting the line to Tin Can Island Ports.

‘‘From the beginning of this administration, railway infrastructure development has been given the priority it deserves and various milestones have been reached, right from when the Abuja – Kaduna railway was flagged-off for commercial operation in 2016 to this Lagos – Ibadan railway project being commissioned today for full commercial operation,’’ he said.

PMB maintained that his administration would continue to prioritize the railway system as a transportation backbone that can transform industrial and economic activity in the country.

He commended the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, for his drive and tenacity in achieving the milestone recorded today and praised the ‘‘wonderful team in the Ministry’’ for a job well done.

Rotimi Amaechi in his address applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to the development of railway infrastructure, “This is the third time the president is commissioning a railway project that has been completed under his watch.” He said also referring to the Abuja-Kaduna and Warri-Itakpe-Ajaokuta fast speed standard gauge lines.

The honourable minister also thanked the president for agreeing to visit Lagos for the lag off as many had doubted that he would be present to physically perform the ceremony.

He noted that whatever feats he has attained today as Honourable Minister of Transport is because of the president has remained focused on transportation .

Amaechi also expressed appreciation to the past and present governors Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states for their cooperation and understanding, and others who worked with him to make the project achievable less than four years despite the numerous challenges encountered.

The HMOT also disclosed during his speech that construction work on the Kano-Abuja rail line would commence at the end of June 2021 having received presidential approval to access funds.

Lagos State governor, Babajide Sowoolu who spoke on behalf of the three host states: Lagos, Ogun and Oyo also pointed out that the socio-economic benefits of this project cannot be over emphasized. He gave kudos to the Buhari administration for maintaining its stand in the development of public infrastructure.

He maintained that Lagos state would continue to cooperate with the Federal government and key into the national transport development plan.

Chairman NRC Board, Engr. Ibrahim Alhassan Musa remarked that Nigerians appreciate the modern railway transportation infrastructure that the PMB government is putting in place and expressed appreciation to the national assembly and all those who have given their cooperation to make the completion of the projects possible.

Shortly after the inauguration, President Buhari took a ride from Ebute Metta Station to Energy Nature Light (ENL), Terminal, Apapa Port, Lagos.

Also on hand to join the president in the flag off were the Speaker House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, governors of Oyo, Ogun and and Ekiti State and the Deputy Governor of Ondo, the Minister of Works Senator Raji Fashola, Honourable Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister of State Transportation, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki other Ministers and top government officials which include: MD, NRC Egnr. F. E. Okhiria. Nobel laureate, prof. Wole Soyika was also visibly present as well the wife of the Honourable Minister of Transport, Dame Judith Amaechi.

The Lagos-Ibadan rail project contract was first awarded in 2012 but did not start until 2016 when the present government re-scoped, designed and re-awarded the contract for the 156 kilometres high speed double standard gauge track, to the China Civil Engineering and Construction Company(CCECC) with TEAM Nigeria Limited as project supervisors . The ground breaking ceremony took place in March 2017 with the target to deliver the project in 24 months. But this was not to be as heavy rains, security threats, compensation issues and covid-19 affected the delivery period.