Construction of Lagos-Ibadan rail to commence soon

The contract for the construction of  Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge double track has been awarded and the construction will soon  commence, Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, has said.

According to Umar, the government is currently carrying out necessary feasibility studies to create seven additional standard gauge lines in the country.

He said the  studies were expected to be completed by September this year after which the result would be advertised for potential investors for their development under the public private partnership.

Umar spoke during the inauguration of  the board of directors of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), headed by former national secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Kau Baraje in Abuja,.

He said  that efforts were on to ensure that the rehabilitation of the railway line from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri is completed this year.

He noted that the construction of Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri and Abuja-Kaduna are to completed and commissioned by next year.

The minister disclosed that the law establishing the Nigerian Railway Corporation is currently undergoing review with the aim of ensuring private sector, state and local government  participation in the rail transport sector.