$1.5bn Lagos-Ibadan rail: Again, NRC meets stakeholders over right of way

Issues of right of way and obstructing structures remain impediments to the smooth progress of the ongoing construction of Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail line, it was learnt yesterday.

Besides, there was the issue of a gas pipeline on the right of way of the rail line which the consultants and stakeholders are trying to resolve.

However, the Chairman, Board of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Engr. Usman Abubakar assured that despite the hindrances created by access and right of way, the project would be delivered in December 2018 as planned.

He spoke yesterday after the meeting of Project Steering Committee for the Lagos- Ibadan standard gauge train which is the phase two of the Lagos - Kano standard gauge line being constructed by the China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC).

At the meeting held inside the Railway Compound were representatives of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo state governments, the contractors, among other stakeholders.

The board chairman also assured that a consultant was currently compiling the list of those whose structures would give way for the project.

He said, “This is a routine meeting where we evaluate progress and attend to the challenges on this project. And things are going fairly okay but this is an ongoing affair. The challenges remain the same - access. We understand some structures are along the way, there are some bridges that are too low which would have to go. These are the challenges you encounter on all projects built in urban area and this is normal. All the obstacles that we have faced are being attended to as they come.”