…As FG orders conference coach, other facilities ahead commencement
Temitope Adebayo
The Chairman of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Engr. Ibrahim Alhassan, says all is set for the commencement of commercial operation on the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge project.
The federal government has set aside October for the commencement of commercial passenger and cargo activities on the project being undertaken by the China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC).
Speaking on Thursday when he led 24 other members of the corporation on an inspection of the 156-kilometre project, the NRC boss noted that the federal government has ordered massive rolling stock; a conference coach and a super sleeper with a spa were among other facilities currently on order.
According to him, two Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) of 30 coaches which would be delivered before December.
Alhassan added that with one of the tracks already at Kilometre 154, what remains are the two branch lines, one, into the works yard and other connecting the Ibadan dry port.
He envisaged that these would be completed by July end. The chairman also unveiled a conference coach where the board held its inaugural meeting. Most of the board members expressed surprise at the ongoing railway transformation which they said they were experiencing for the first time.
According to him, the government would want a situation where corporate organizations would hold their board meetings or conferences on the train’s conference coach.
The chairman who spoke after a train ride to Lagos said, “This trip has been a richly rewarding trip for most members of the board and the feedback we got from so many of them indicated that they were not only happy but are in a better position to appreciate the federal government”, he said.
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