Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has disclosed that upon completion of the Lagos-Ibadan railway project by December, the Federal Government would immediately commence construction of the Eastern rail line which connects Port Harcourt – Bonny to Maiduguri.

Amaechi said the planned commencement is subject to approval by the Federal Executive Council, while listing other projects in line for commencement. They include, the Kano/Maradi line and the Ibadan to Kano section of the Lagos to Kano rail line.

The Minister stated this in Ibadan, Wednesday, shortly after inspecting the level of work on all the Stations across the Lagos-Ibadan railway project.

He said, " We have sent to the cabinet the request for approval of two railway contracts, Port Harcourt - Bonny to Maiduguri. If that is awarded, that will be the next assignment for the Ministry of Transport. Also the Kano - Maradi line, which passes through Kano, Dutse, Kazaure, Daura, Katsina, Jibiya, Maradi.

"We are also pursuing the loan for the contract which has been awarded for the Lagos to Calabar rail line. We also expect that Ibadan to Kano will commence before the end of this year," Amaechi said.

On the Lagos-Ibadan railway project, he noted that much work has not been done on the Apapa station because the building of the station just commenced, “but I want them to finish all the stations at same time. And I have insisted that a special taskforce be set up to make sure Apapa station is completed same time as all the others. If you see the station at Olodo, there are improvements, they finished flooring, roofing, lighting, ceilings; just doors and windows left. Again, what is left at Kajola is just painting. There is improvement in Olodo and Ebute-metta.

"The only station in which I am not satisfied is this last station in Ibadan. However, they have given us the following targets: End of September, three stations will be ready; end of October, all the seven minor stations will be ready; end of December, everything will be ready," he said.

Amaechi also disclosed that the contractors were expecting more engineers on site to speed up construction.

Hear him, "The timeline hasn't changed, but they didn't meet my target for this inspection, my target was that by today (September 15), they would have finished the minor stations, but they gave an excuse that because of Covid they hadn't enough engineers on site. What you have is the same engineers supervising Agbado and Agege, so they move in between and that is slowing down the work.

"As for me, I want this job done because I want to move out of Lagos. Their submission is that by next week, all engineers will be on site and work will commence and once work commences, they will be faster and by the end of September, they should finish the three major stations."

Reacting to the accident that occurred in Oshodi on Monday, Amaechi said the Ministry would collaborate with the Lagos State government to ensure fencing of the tracks, which he said has already began in some parts to avert such incidents.

MASTAkiLLAh:
The insistence on Maradi is quite baffling because wetin concern us with Niger republic railroads ? All at the expense of the SE which this divisive government has sworn that they’ll avoid at all costs. Meanwhile, is Bonny realistic ? We know how many decades it took successive Govt’s to even start that project talk less of finish it or does Amaechi want to use this as another cash cow like his famed monorail to nowhere ? Nigerians are tired sha, e go be

Ades1234:
,

What's ur problem with ameachi,
Ameachi is no longer the governor of River state , he did his best as a governor and we want Wike to continue from where he stop,

What stop Wike from continuing the project?
U guys are full with hatred , are u from bonny land?

What's the problem with southeast people,
Instead of u to thank God we have a hard working minister who has tried his best,

*what did our former president who is the son of soil do for his people?*

MASTAkiLLAh:
The insistence on Maradi is quite baffling because wetin concern us with Niger republic railroads ? All at the expense of the SE which this divisive government has sworn that they’ll avoid at all costs. Meanwhile, is Bonny realistic ? We know how many decades it took successive Govt’s to even start that project talk less of finish it or does Amaechi want to use this as another cash cow like his famed monorail to nowhere ? Nigerians are tired sha, e go be

MASTAkiLLAh:
The insistence on Maradi is quite baffling because wetin concern us with Niger republic railroads ?

Blue3k:

Henrymas:
If it ever comes to fruition, then River state should prepare to receive an influx of boko haram elements and other category of bandits relocating to the state.

Christistruth00:

In fact they shouldn't connect to Niger Republic till Security is guaranteed because Niger is already a safe haven for NIgerian killer bandits and Boko Haram Terrorists.

Blue3k:
How long do you guys see the boko haram war lasting. Is the insurgency going to be an eternal war. Just look at how long it took the government to build rail to Ibadan. By the time it reaches Borno Nigeria should win the war.

JBTJ:
what is the difference between these two animals?

Blue3k:


Lol attention hungry loser.