The Federal Government on Wednesday announced that despite the challenges facing the construction of the Lagos -Ibadan rail project, the facility would be put to use by January 2019.
The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi gave the assurance after the monthly meeting of the Lagos – Ibadan Rail line Project Steering Committee at the Ibadan Railway Yard, Ibadan – Oyo State. Amaechi who was quoted in a statement issued by the Ministry’s Director, Press and Public Relations; Yetunde Sonaike, said:
“We hope this project will be completed within the life span of construction. Nigerians are putting us under immense pressure.
“This contract is for three years and we are doing it within one year and 2 months. Our target is December 2018, but at most in January 2019, Nigerians will start to enjoy the dividends of democracy. ”
Amaechi stated that based on the challenges being experienced on the project, a committee was set up chaired by the Board Chairman of the NRC, Usman Abubakar , with representatives from the Nigerian Army , NRC , Lagos State Government , the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and CCECC as members .The purpose of the committee is to ensure that all the challenges are resolved,
The minister also stated that the government was working out a proposal to acquire an alternative land to build a railway station in Abeokuta instead of paying N2.8bn as compensation for the proposed location.
The government said it had adopted carefully, working measures that will tackle the challenges of obstruction caused by water, gas and sewage pipes, adding that Nigerians would start enjoying the rail line from the first month of next year.
