Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail project 80% complete – FG
…Lagos-Ibadan rail project to gulp $1.5bn
The Federal Government of Nigeria Friday said Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail project is about 80 per cent complete. It also revealed that the total cost for the Lagos-Ibadan rail line was $1.5bn, adding that the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail would be completed before the scheduled date.
The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, disclosed this on the sidelines of the inspection tour of the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail line.
When asked to state the percentage of work done on the facility, Amaechi replied, “It is between 70 to 80 per cent complete, but you must know that this job is meant to be completed in 2019.
However, we are compelling them (the contractors) and because we are pushing, they are working day and night to have it done.
Amaechi stated that the government had no apology when it comes to borrowing to fund infrastructure in Nigeria.
On whether the project was following the stipulated time frame, he said, “If it is time frame, they are well ahead of schedule.
It is meant to be completed in 2019 and what we are doing here is what we are doing in Lagos-Ibadan and that project is actually a three-year contract. But we are forcing them to a one-year completion period.
“Just like this is supposed to end by 2019 but we are saying no, you must leave site before October. Although we had a verbal agreement with them to quite site by June 2018. However, in terms of contract, it is 2019.”
The minister said the contractors handling the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail project might be asked to stretch the rail line to Lokoja so as to ensure seamless travel experience.
Amaechi said the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail project had been abandoned for close to 34 years and that the government was trying to complete it.
He said the government was funding the revival of the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail project at a cost of about $200, adding that $1.5bn was the cost for the Lagos-Ibadan rail project.
