The Minister of the Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, has commended the spirit of cooperation from communities along the Lagos – Ibadan Rail corridor which he noted facilitated the quick operation of the Standard gauge project.
Amaechi made the commendation during the Ministerial Inspection of the Lagos /Ibadan Standard gauge railway project on Saturday in Ibadan.
The Minister said that there was need to commend the support of the communities from Lagos to Ibadan adding that the Federal Government also seek cooperation from other railway communities in the country.
Amaechi who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Magdalene Ajani frowned at the vandalism of Itakpe railway track saying that the offenders had been arrested according to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
“I also told the management of NRC to arrest the buyer of the equipment because if there is no demand there will not be supply.
“So if they are been arrested they will stop buying stolen properties.
” The Standard gauge railway construction was between 89 to 90 per cent completion for commissioning.
“We confirmed that a lot of equipment in the infrastructural development are ready for commissioning.
“What we are waiting for is for the presidency to give us date for the commissioning which may likely to be in June,”Amaechi said.
The Minister said that the Apapa rail track was almost completed adding that movement of cargo through the Apapa port would be realistic.
He disclosed that there would be operations of E-ticketing on Lagos /Ibadan standard gauge railway after Commissioning to avoid delay while boarding.
According to him, there was bilateral agreement between the Federal Government and China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) concerning the maintenance of the rail facilities.
At Papalantoro railway station he, employed the contractor to extend the car park to accommodate more vehicles to boost patronage in the area.
The Transportation Minister, however, urged the construction companies to employ more hands to enable them meet up with the deadline.
