Oil pipes, others obstructing completion of Lagos-Ibadan rail line, says Amaechi

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has explained why the Lagos-Ibadan railway project has not been completed.

He revealed that the relocation of the oil and gas, water and sewage pipes on the road was responsible for the delay.

Amaechi disclosed this in Ibadan, at the monthly meeting of the Lagos-Ibadan Rail line Project Steering Committee.

He said the Federal Government was carefully considering some measures to holistically tackle the challenges.

The minister promised that the project would be completed by January 2019 to enable the people to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

He stressed that the commitment was based on the level of progress in the gradual implementation of the considered solutions.

He said: “We hope this project would be completed within the life span of the construction, as Nigerians are putting us under immense pressure.

“This contract is for three years, but we are doing it within one year and two months. Our target is to complete it in December 2018, or at most, January 2019.”

According to a statement by the ministry’s Director, Press, Yetunde Sonaike, a committee had been set up to resolve all the challenges.

He said the Chairman, Board of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Usman Abubakar, is chairman of the committee.

Representatives of the Nigerian Army, NRC, Lagos State government, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the firm, CCECC are also members of the committee.

The minister disclosed that the Federal Government was planning to acquire an alternative land in Abeokuta to build the railway station.

This, he, said, would avoid paying N2.8 billon as compensation for the proposed location.

On the alternative to Jibowu and Costain bridges in Lagos, which are on the rail line’s right of ways, he said the bridges would be demolished.

He stressed that the Federal Government would collaborate with the Lagos State government on how to reduce heavy vehicular movement on that axis, when work finally begins on the project.