N458 Billion Lagos- Ibadan Railway Line To Be Completed December 2018-Osinbajo
Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday flagged-off the construction of the Lagos -Ibadan Railway line, segment two of Lagos -Kano standard gauge railway with extension to the Lagos, Complex, Abuja expected to gulp N458 billion, assuring that the project will be completed by December, 2018.
Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony held at Nigerian Railway Corporation premises, Lagos, the acting President Yemi Osinbajo said by virtue of the project Nigerians will soon join other comity of nations in the enjoyment lofty benefits associated with modern, efficient railway system.
Osinbajo at the ceremony attended by Governors of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Senator Ibikunle Amosun , Senator Abiola Ajimobi respectively, Minister of Transportation Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, Chairman senate committee on Land Transport Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, among other said the rail line projects signified the determination of President Muhammadu Buhari to modernize the national railway system and keeping his promise to the country.
He said, “The president in his January 2016 visit to China reopened negotiation on the Chinese support for this project, second this ceremony also mark the commencement of our plan to move speedily to improve link with Lagos which is the national economic nerve centre and major port to other state capital across the country.
“Thirdly our ground breaking today reflects the plans of the Federal Government to build a globally competitive economy, the critical roles of infrastructure and for this purpose, railways in this strategy underscores our economic recovery and growth plan as well as 2016 and 2017 budget.
“We made provision for matching funds in 2016 budget to complement the concession loans obtain from the people Republic of China. Our appreciation goes to the Chinese government and the Chinese Exchange bank who have always proved to be a reliable partner to the Nigeria government. We have the entire Lagos Kano rail track as well as the Lagos Calabar railway track in the 2017 budget.”
Osinbajo hinted that negotiations on the Kaduna –Kano portion of the track is now completed, saying this phase is next in line.
“We have already provided our portion for funding for the Lagos- Calabar route as well and we expect that negotiations with the foreign component of the funding will be finalized within the next three months of and the Lagos calabar projects as well.
“An active and vibrant railway system conferred many benefit on the society. Our ultimate goal is to restore a railway using culture for both commercial and personal transportation. We are confident that the national rail project will create up to half a million jobs and facilitate the movement of up to 3.2 tonnes of cargo per annum.
“It will also reduce the burden on national high ways thus reducing deterioration of the road network and increasing the life span of our roads. Railway network will support efforts to diversify the economy and enhance our export potentials. Just as several of our cities became known as railway towns in the past we expect to boost economic activities within the railway lines that will eventually cut across the entire country.”
To achieve this objective, he added that the ministry of transportation has completed feasibility study for up to 13 routes identify for connecting state capital and major commercial centres to the rail network , assuring Nigerians will begin to see significant activities in the sector shortly.
“It is important however to have a viable self sustaining and vibrant rail system it should be one that is not reliant on government funding which many not be available all time it should be one that can be upgraded at all time and not left to decay to management or lack of attention.
“This is why the FG supports the replacement of the 1964 railway acts with a legal frame work that open railway projects in the country to greater private sector participation. In this way we expect to ensure that the resources to manage efficient modern and reliable train services. I am confident that we will see the same zeal in project construction so that the railway lines will be completed on schedule. We are looking forward to a fast and efficient service between Lagos and Ibadan within the projected time frame which is on or before December 2018.”
Also speaking, Lagos State Governor Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode said Lagosians are excited about the project because it would further open up economy of the South West region and facilitate regional integration and growth.
“The agricultural sector will receive the long awaited boost as the rail line will be a fast and convenient means of transporting farm produce from the hinterland to the city thereby increasing the economies of these places.
“In addition, our proposed Red Line Project will breathe a new lease of life into our roads and highways. A direct benefit of this project is that containers and goods from the Apapa Port will now be transported by rail thereby reducing the number of trailers and other heavy duty vehicles on our roads.
“A direct consequence of this project would be less productive man hours wasted on the roads due to traffic gridlock and bad roads due to heavy duty vehicles. In addition, we expect government to expend less-resources on road repair and maintenance once the rail line takes off and reduce the pressure of articulated vehicles on our roads,” Ambode said.
