Oyo expresses satisfaction with Ibadan inland dry port, rail works

The pace of work at the Ibadan Inland Dry Port in Akinyele Council and the construction of the Lagos/Ibadan railway track have been described as satisfactory by the Oyo State government.

Director-general, Oyo State Investment and Public-Private Partnership Agency, Segun Ogunwuyi, made this assertion yesterday while inspecting the two projects.

Ogunwuyi, alongside officials of Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC) and the Nigerian Railway Corporation, had taken a ride of the standard rail from Ibadan to Lagos to ascertain level of work done before they visited the inland dry port at Akinyele.

He added that the two projects would positively affect economic activities and the people’s standard of living, as they would provide job opportunities for the youths while rail transport would also ensure easy movement of people and goods at a cheap cost.

“We have taken a train trip to see the level of work done towards Lagos and back. We moved to the Ibadan Inland Dry Port as well and I can say the level of work done is satisfactory.

“These two projects are commendable as they are going to have a lasting positive effect on our people, you can imagine the number of people that will be directly and indirectly engaged in the activities of the inland dry port and the consequential economic impact.

“We all know also that rail transport is the cheapest. It will afford our people to move to and from Lagos with less cost, while goods will be transported with ease as cargo rail will be there to haul goods,” he said.

The rail, he noted, would be a relief for the roads that had been overburdened by movement of heavy trucks.

Ogunwuyi reiterated that Oyo would continue to nurse the good relationship between the state and the Nigeria Shippers’ Council, to achieve the desired economic transformation targeted by the Seyi Makinde administration.