Nigerian President, Muhammed Buhari has inaugurated the commercial operations of Lagos-Ibadan railway project describing the project as another milestone of his administration in the drive to revitalize the railway system and establish it as a choice mode of transportation for both passengers and freight.
Penpushing reports that,Buhari speaking at the venue located at the Mobolaji Johnson Railway Station, Ebute Metta, Lagos, pointed out that Ibadan-Kano project would have a connection to the Tin Can Island port as well as the West – East Coastal rail line from Lagos to Calabar linking Onitsha, Benin, Warri, Yenagoa, Port Harcourt, Aba and Uyo.
The president added that the project would be beneficial to the economy through employment from new business opportunities and wealth creation.,and also added value to the Lagos-Ibadan corridor as well as other ongoing railway projects across the country,
Penpushing further reports that, Buhari pledged that his administration would continue to prioritise the railway system as a transportation backbone that can transform industrial and economic activity in the country.
‘‘This vital line establishes an end-to-end logistic supply chain in railway transport within its short corridor, Lagos – Ibadan, as goods to the hinterland would now be transported by rail directly from the Apapa port Quayside straight to the Inland Container Depot located in Ibadan from where it can be distributed to other parts of the country.
‘‘In clear recognition of the challenges posed to our economic growth by absence of strong and effective infrastructure, we have in the rail sector, further to other ongoing railway infrastructure projects, embarked on the completion of the outstanding segment of the Lagos – Kano railway, which is Ibadan – Kano.
‘‘The Lagos-Kano railway project when completed will link the Kano – Maradi line at Kano and a rail link from the Nigeria southern ports of Lagos to Maradi in Niger Republic will be achieved.
‘‘The connection through rail would position Nigerian ports as the choice for import and export business of the people of landlocked Niger Republic. This would be beneficial to the economy through employment from new business opportunities and wealth creation.’’
‘‘From the beginning of this administration, railway infrastructure development has been given the priority it deserves and various milestones have been reached, right from when the Abuja – Kaduna railway was flagged-off for commercial operation in 2016 to this Lagos – Ibadan railway project being commissioned today for full commercial operation,’’ he said.
Penpushing also reports that, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, commended the government for this drive and tenacity in achieving the milestone recorded at the commissioning
Meanwhile, the President after the commissioning took a ride from Ebute Metta Station to Energy Nature Light (ENL), Terminal, Apapa Port, Lagos. And accompanied by the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Governors of Ekiti, Oyo, Dapo SAbiodun of Ogun state and the Deputy Governor of Ondo, the Minister of Transportation, the Minister of State Transportation, Gbemisola Saraki among others
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