- Project will decongest Lagos, boost Oyo economy, says Makinde
By Michael Olatunji
Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi on Monday declared that the April target for the delivery of the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge is no longer certain.
As at December, Amaechi had said the April delivery is sacrosanct, adding that Mr President would be free to pick any day between April and May to inaugurate the project.
But all that promises changed after inspecting the pace of work on Monday. Speaking at Omi Adio, in Ibadan, moments after the inspection, Amaechi said he would no longer be willing to set a time frame as he has always discovered that none of the dates set in the past had been met.
He however summoned the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the CCECC to a meeting on Friday, to resolve the challenges stalling the project at the Apapa end.
Amaechi described the pace of work at the Ebute Metta to Apapa axis “as painful.” He also disclosed that he would henceforth focus on the Apapa axis of the project in subsequent inspections.
Amaechi was accompanied by the Minister of State for Transportation the I Saraki, the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, Hon. Desmond Elliot (Surulere Constituency 1), among other prominent personalities, government officials, the contractor and Team Consulting Ltd., consultants to the project.
Describing the pace of work, Amaechi said: “It’s a mixed bag. In some stations, you are impressed in others you are not. The last time we came, we had to suspend work because they were using what we refer to as stone dust but now they are using balast to do the foundation.
“Not much has happened at Abeokuta Station. The worst is from Ebute Metta to Apapa and that is painful. It will be the focus from now henceforth. They are coming up with all sorts of but, but I have asked to meet with NPA on Thursday or Friday to resolve those issues.
“The second excuse they have is that their vessels are at the sea port and they can’t berth because of the long queue.
“We will address it when we meet with NPA to see how they can come forward because we really need to complete this project as soon as possible. CCECC, NPA and TEAM will be at the meeting and we will resolve the issues.
On the April or May completion date, the Minister said: “I can’t answer that question because when we asked the contractors, they still tell us it’s possible. Let me not continue to give you a date and getting to that date, we are not there. They are being political. When I complained the last time, they said minor stations will be completed in April. They won’t talk about the major stations.”
Giving update on the track, he said: “If it’s in terms of tracks, it’s 100% completed apart from Ebute Metta, but what you must know is that there are two contracts here. The first contract is from Ebute Metta to Ibadan.
“The second contract is from Ebute Metta to Apapa seaport which is about 6km. And that’s where we have been having problems. If you have been following this inspection, we have always had problems with Lagos because of the urban nature of Lagos. We have a lot of demolition to do.
Makinde who was on the monthly inspection tour with the Minister, said the railway will help decongest Lagos State which is currently overpopulated.
He also assured that some of the challenges encountered in Lagos State in the construction of the project would be avoided when Ibadan-Kano project commences.
He said: “I can say that so far so good, work is going on and a lot of effort is being put into it. A lot has been achieved so far and a lot still has to be done.
“For us in Oyo state, it is a wake up call because the track is already here. So, we need to brace up ourselves with what we have to do as a state government so that the handshake can seamless and everything can be done smoothly.
“The rail will boost our economy and people can work in Lagos and live in Ibadan. Students can attend our schools here. So, it will decongest Lagos and help improve our own economy and get help us get out of Lagos shadow.
“In the areas of employment, some companies might decide to come set up in Ibadan. Good produced can come straight from Apapa port straight to Ibadan dryport. So, we see a lot of social and economic benefit with this rail. Those who fear travelling by road will embrace this new initiative.
“We will look into other things that will make the rail operation smooth like the construction of roads and security. On the Ibadan-Kano, Makinde said: “When you are starting from the scratch, you have the opportunity to get it right, assuring that because Ibadan is not as developed as Abuja, there will not be serious encumbrance, ” he said.