President Muhammadu Buhari will perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the Eastern rail corridor on 9th March, 2021, Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has said.
Amaechi disclosed this during inspection tour to all the stations from Mobolaji Johnson Station at Ebute-Meta to Ibadan station over the weekend.
He further disclosed that the President has also approved the redirecting of the Eastern line to two new spurs namely: Abakaliki, Ebonyi State and Awka, Anambra State.
Similarly, the Minister mentioned that the Federal Government has approved the commencement of the Port Harcourt – Kano rail project and is also negotiating loans for Lagos – Calabar rail project.
On the take-off of the Ibadan-Kano rail project, Amaechi informed that the government is still seeking approval for loan to enable it take-off.
Speaking on the Lagos-Ibadan rail project, Amaechi noted that he has challenged Messrs. China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC) to deploy global acceptable safety and security standards for the project.
He directed that central cooling system be installed in all the major train stations along that route.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, Chairman, Board NRC, Ibrahim Alhassan, Managing Director Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Fidet Okhiria, Acting MD, TEAM, Francesco Fiermonte, some Directors of the Ministry were among those at the inspection.