Stakeholders laud FG on Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail project
NAN-H-78
Rail
By Taiye Elebiyo-Edeni
Abuja, March 10, 2017 (NAN) Stakeholders in the transport sector have commended the Federal Government on the commencement of the 156kilometres Lagos-Ibadan railway standard gauge project.
Some stakeholders, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews on Friday in Abuja, said the development in the rail sub-sector would further boost the nation’s economy.
Mr Ibrahim Jibril, the National President of Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), said that the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge was a welcome development.
According to him, road and maritime has contributed enormously to the economy and with the development of the rail it will improve the intermodal transport.
“The road and maritime contribute 90 per cent to the transport sector but what government is doing today in the rail mode is a welcome development.
“It is such a development that is going to help in moving people and goods across the country in large volume.
“This is definitely going to assist the country in having a more efficient rail transport system.
“The current administration is making efforts so that these railways are maintained by GE, which will assist us to have an improved and efficient rail transport system.
“With the rail extending to our sea port, that is the kind of intermodal transport we are looking forward to and we will expect this to extend to other parts of the country gradually,’’ he said.
Jubril said that the rail system should not only extend to the seaport but also to the airport across the country, which would bring about efficiency, sufficiency and contribute to the development of the nation’s economy.
Speaking in the same vein, Alhaji Hassan Bello, the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC), said that the development of the rail system would reduce the pressure on the roads.
He said that the rail line leading to the dry and inland ports will reduce the cost of transportation and bulk of containers can be transported.
Bello said that with the development of the rail system, transporting cargoes would be safe during delivery and also enable the decongestion of the ports.
Mr Reynolds Shodeinde, Assistant Director (Administration), CILT, said that reviving the rail transport would reduce pressure on the road and fewer articulated vehicles would need to be on the highway.
“If the rails are working, the roads will last; evacuation of agricultural product in large quantity from the grassroots would be easier.
“Driving on the highway will be with a lot of ease because there will be fewer heavy trucks on the road, and transportation will be cheaper,’’ the official said.
NAN reports that the construction of the 156 km Lagos-Ibadan Railway Standard Gauge Rail line with extension to the Lagos Port Complex at Apapa, is the Segment II of the 273 km Lagos -Kano Standard Gauge Rail track. (NAN)
TY/AOS/AFA
Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Felix Ajide