President Muhammadu Buhari has commissioned the 157 kilometer Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge railway covering the southwestern states of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo.
At the event in Lagos, President Buhari told the gathering that his administration is committed to the revitalization and establishment of viable rail systems which will serve as transportation backbone that can transform economic and industrial activities in the country.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo Olu, who spoke on behalf of the three south-west state chief executives, highlighted the need for continued partnerships with the states and federal government, describing it as a catalyst for development.
He pointed out that the project commissioned by the President will be leveraged upon to establish more complementary infrastructure within the state.
Minister of transportation Rotimi Amaechi enumerated the constraints and breakthroughs which birthed the new project. He called out names of some prominent Nigerians who have been honoured by naming the ten train stations on the railway after them.
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Some of those honoured posthumously are Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, Lateef Jakande, and Obafemi Awolowo.
The construction of the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge railway began in 2017 and was expected to be completed in three years but readjustments to the initial construction plans, especially extension to the Apapa Port, effects of the coronavirus and other factors altered the timeline.
The project is estimated to have cost the federal government and partners more than 1.53 billion dollars.
(Editor- Oloyede Oworu)
