Saturday, 4 August 2018

Apapa gridlock: FG begins Lagos-Ibadan rail project next week


The Federal Government, on Wednesday, during the Federal Executive Council’s meeting, approved N72.9 billion for the reconstruction of the road from Apapa to the Toll Gate on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Amaechi, who addressed journalists after a meeting with Ambode at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, also disclosed that contractors would move to site to continue the Lagos-Ibadan rail project from Apapa.
This, he said, would be part of efforts to bring about permanent solution to the perennial gridlock in the axis.
“You would recall that the Federal Government had commenced construction of the Lagos-Ibadan railway and the focus was more on the Ibadan and Abeokuta axis because we had challenges in Lagos which included utilities and not much with the communities.
‘’I think I have to commend the communities that allow us use their land though we would pay compensation but not much. So, we are grateful to all the communities from Lagos to Ibadan.
“However, we have utility challenges like gas pipes and water, and beyond the gas pipes, we also have challenges with bridges to either build or demolish. I remember when we said we wanted to demolish the Costain Bridge, everybody screamed and we had to invite the Lagos governor to assist us; he took us there and promised that he would pay the compensation.”
He said in addition to the rail projects, the Federal Government was also working on the roads, saying the combination of the projects would facilitate seamless movement of cargos from Apapa.
“What we are trying to do there is to get a good road to evacuate cargos but it would be faster with the rail. So, while we are working hard to ensure the rail is delivered by this year ending, the Federal Government has also awarded the contract to deal with the road from Apapa and Tin Can to enable us evacuate cargos freely which is an addition to the rail,” Amaechi said.

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