Pres Buhari flagging off commercial operations for the Lagos -Ibadan railway train station
HighlightNews From MDA'STop StoryTrending Story

Buhari in Lagos, inaugurates China funded Lagos-Ibadan new rail project

541

After the Chinese contractors failed to deliver the project in 2020 as scheduled due to COVID-19, President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday inaugurated the Lagos-Ibadan rail project.

Describing the project as another milestone of his administration, Buhari said it was its agenda and drive to revitalize the rail system and establish it as a choice mode of transportation for both passengers and freight in the country.

Buhari spoke at the inauguration of the project at the Mobolaji Johnson Railway Station, Ebute Meta, Lagos.

He said the Ibadan-Kano project would be linked to the TinCan Island port in Lagos and the West-East Coastal railline from Lagos to Calabar linking Onitsha, Benin, Warri, Yenagoa, Port Harcourt, Aba and Uyo.

He said the project would further boost the economy through massive employment.

“It will provide new business opportunities and wealth creation and add value to the Lagos-Ibadan corridor as well as other ongoing railway projects across the country.”

The president promised that his administration would continue to prioritize the rail system as a transportation backbone to transform industrial and economic activities 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,’’ Buhari said.

The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, also described the project as a milestone and revolution in the transport sector.

Persecondnews reports that the President took a ride from Ebute Meta Station to Energy Nature Light (ENL), Terminal, Apapa Port, Lagos, accompanied by the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Lagos Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governors of Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun and the Deputy Governor of Ondo.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Senate Approves N360bn Increase in Rivers’ 2025 N1.8trn Budget, Cites Reasons

Rivers State’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibak, has presented a revised...

Ahead of 50th Anniversary: Oyo Govt Unveils N63.4bln Renovation Plan for Government House

The Oyo State government has approved a whopping N63.47 billion for the...

Alleged terrorism: FG closes case against Nnamdi Kanu

The Federal Government on Thursday closed its case in the ongoing trial...

Dangote Pays Visit to NPA, Commends One-Stop-Shop Initiative’s Success

The Managing Director/CEO of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho,...

Defamation trial: Ezekwesili, Yesufu, others storm court for Akpoti-Uduaghan

A show of solidarity unfolded at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High...

Social Media Unstoppable, FG Won’t Muzzle Media – Information Minister

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Mohammed Idris, has acknowledged...

Just in: Defamation: Court grants Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan N50m bail, adjourns until Sept. 23

A Federal High Court sitting in Maitama in the Federal Capital Territory...

Defamation: Akpoti-Uduaghan arrives in court for arraignment

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended representative for Kogi Central Senatorial District, has...

GF Moves to Tackle Food Insecurity, Poor Infrastructure

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has identified key factors driving the rising...

Consistent Innovations, Capacity Building Key to Quality Healthcare – Dr. Peterside

Dr. Dakuku Peterside, a renowned turnaround expert and accomplished technocrat, says continuous...

TCN Inaugurates Committee to Drive Power Sector Recovery, Boost Grid Efficiency

By Joycelyn Ellakeche Adah In a renewed push to reform Nigeria’s ailing...

Enugu Govt Inaugurates LOC for 23rd National Sports Festival, NSC Hails Gov. Mbah

The Enugu State Government has taken a significant step towards hosting the...

World Drug Day 2025: Marwa, UNODC urge public, state govts to join fight against illicit substance abuse

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),...

Vandalism, Obsolete Infrastructure, Underfunding Threaten Nigeria’s Transmission Network – TCN MD

By Joycelyn Ellakeche Adah Delayed energy reform, incessant large-scale vandalism, obsolete infrastructure,...

Benue Killings: Tinubu Queries Security Chiefs Over Lack of Arrests

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday expressed surprise that no arrests were made...

Gwarinpa Hotel Female Murder: FCT Police Launch Manhunt for Man Friend

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has initiated an investigation into...

University’s ‘No Bra, No Exam’ Rule Sparks Outrage, It’s Sexual Assault, Students Say

Female students at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, have reportedly...

Benue Bloodshed: Tinubu Approves Cattle Ranch to End Farmer-Herder Clashes

President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of a ranch in Benue...

Just in: Nigeria’s Biodiversity Gets Boost as FG Validates National Strategy

The Federal Government has approved the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan...

Benue Attack Survivor: ’20 of My Family Were Burnt Alive

A survivor of the recent attack in Yelewata, Benue State, has recounted...