Mr Joe Ghartey, Ghanian Minister of Railway Development, on Friday lauded the ongoing construction of Lagos – Ibadan Standard Rail gauge project.
Ghartey spoke during on the spot assessment of the project by the Senate Committee members on Land Transport with the Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi.
The Ghanian minister commended the level of work so far done, and appreciated the laudable efforts of Amaechi on his regular monitoring and supervision of the project.
“This is about one year; you will agree with me that it is not usual that you have a project of this magnitude being ahead of schedule; how has he done it?
“He has done it by being hard working; he would have sent someone to bring reports, but he has been coming here following it and pushing. I think it is very impressive,” he said.
According to him, the project will ease transportation system in Nigeria.
Ghartey said that the standard gauge project would make goods and services cheaper as result of easy movement of goods and people around.
He said that the project would also boost the economy in a manner the citizens could not even imagine.
“Very soon people would be buying land here because of the nearness to easy means of transportation; I am very impressed about the project,” he added.
In his remarks, Amaechi expressed satisfaction with the level of work done so far by the contractor.
The minister said that the water level at various river points had posed a challenge to the project.
He said that the contractor was working effectively to deal with the challenge before the raining season set in fully.
“The contractor has to find solution to the challenge now before the rain comes, because if the rain starts now, the water level will be higher and this will pose a great challenge to the work.
“The track laying has been done up to kilometre 95 and they have done their sub-grade up to kilometre 98; in a week time, the track laying will cover the kilometre 98 toward Ibadan from Abeokuta,’’ he said.
According to him, the track laying will be completed before May; when probably President Muhammadu Buhari might have a train ride from Lagos to Ibadan.
“This is just a ride that will take place by the end of May by the president from Lagos to Ibadan.
“You see, its just beyond having a ride, because we have said by the end of May, they should have finished the laying of tracks, that is, the double tracks.
“But, that is not enough, they have to deal with the stations, communication and others before that could take place,’’ he added.
Also, Sen. Gbega Ashafa, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport, said the project would not fail because of the reelection of President Buhari.
Ashafa said that president would ensure the continuity of the project for the benefit of the citizens.
According to him, it is a visit of all the stakeholders involved in the rail project.
“The minister invited us for the oversight functions and the progress that has been made will benefit the citizens.
“The project will add value to the economic activities, create employment for thousands of people, so the project cannot fail,” Ashafa said.
Amaechi, together with Ghartey and Committee on Land, commenced the project supervision from ongoing Ebute Meta Ultra Modern Railway Station to Kajola, Ifo, Papalanto, Itori, Abeokuta in Ogun up to Ibadan in Oyo State.
(NAN)
