Determined to commence commercial passenger operation on the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge, the Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi yesterday directed the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), to complete work on all minor stations on the corridor.
The minor station terminals where work has reached advanced stages are at Agege, Agbado, Kajola, Papalanto, Olodo and Omi-Adio as well as Apapa.
The minister gave this directive at the Moniya station terminal, after inspection of work so far done by CCECC on the laying of tracks and construction of station terminals, saying the finishing work at the minor stations should be completed by next month, while the mega stations including: Ebute-Metta Junction, Abeokuta and Moniya, should be completed by December prior to the beginning of full blown passenger train operation by January next year.
He implored officials of CCECC to increase the number of workers on site with strict adherence to Covid-19 guidelines so as to accelerate work on the completion of the train stations.
According to Amaechi COVID-19 has come to stay, but it should not be an hindrance to delivery of the project which has been too far delayed.
While acknowledging the fact that there no problem of funding for the $1.6 billion project Amaechi implored the National Assembly to allow government get approval for the $5.3 billion Ibadan to Kano standard gauge railway project before probing so as not to forestall it.
Corroborating his colleague, the Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed said there is nothing wrong in collecting loan as long as it is used to build infrastructure for benefit of the masses.
He expressed satisfaction over the level of work so far done in the construction of terminals, laying of tracks and purchase of rolling stocks adding that “the project will outlast all of us”.
In his remarks, managing director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Engr.Fidet Okhiria reiterated passenger train operations from Lagos to Ibadan and back will commence in middle of September, from Ebute-Metta Junction to Ibadan. He said operation would start at temporarily and shift to the stations once they are completed.