Lagos-Ibadan rail gauge will be delivered as planned says NRC

Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has reaffirmed its commitment to the completion of the of Lagos-Ibadan rail gauge by 2018.Besides, issues of right of way and obstructing structures remain impediments to the smooth progress of the ongoing construction of the construction.

Speaking on Tuesday after meeting of Project Steering Committee for the rail gauge, Chairman, Board of NRC, Usman Abubakar, said there is also the issue of gas pipeline on the right of way of the rail line, which the consultants and stakeholders are trying to resolve.

Despite the hindrances created by access and right of way, Abubakar revealed that the project would be delivered in December 2018 as planned.The rail line is the first phase of the Lagos-Kano standard gauge line being constructed by the China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation expected to link the already completed and operational Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge rail line.

Speaking on the percentage of work carried out, he said NRC have put its consultant to evaluate the report stating that the project is sectorial.“In some sectors it is 100 per cent achievement, in other sectors, it is one per cent, two per cent, the overall achievement would have to wait until when our consultants look at the documents and come to an agreement on the achievement.”

For those whose structures would be affected in the project, he said there are consultants working to determine appropriate compensation, people whose structure have to come down, they are already going about it and people are being paid depending on how far the consultants are able to finish the work. It is an ongoing work.

In the last meeting the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said the president have approved projects of about 10 in number but when such projects are approved there is need to source for funds for such projects.

“We are talking to people who are ready to provide loan, for us to carry out the projects. We are committed; the President has given us a matching order to put on all our best to make sure that a lot of work is done in the railway sector,” he added.At the meeting held inside the Railway Compound were representatives of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo state governments, the contractors, among other stakeholders.