*Says free train ride from Lagos to Ibadan commences Nov 30
MINISTER of Transportation, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, has ordered the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) to complete all the minor train stations along the Lagos-Ibadan railway project within one month.
Amaechi gave the ultimatum on Monday during his inspection tour of the Lagos-Ibadan railway project as well as his meeting with the management teams of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) and the CCECC.
The Minister, who expressed reservations with the progress of work on the railway stations, charged the construction firm to expedite action on the project and ensure its completion on November 25.
Amaechi noted that there are 12 railway stations, comprising eight minor stations and four major stations from Ebute-Metta to Ibadan, currently under construction by the CCECC.
He rebuked the engineers for delaying completion of the construction of the railway stations, insisting that his November meeting with all the stakeholders in the Lagos-Ibadan rail contract must be held at the Kajola station after its completion.
The Minister also cautioned the Chinese engineers not to compromise standard and quality of construction work on the project, his pressure on them for speedy completion notwithstanding.
Amaechi further reminded the CCECC that the Federal Government had cleared all its outstanding debts to the firm, stressing that it had no reason not to deliver the project on time.
“We were owing you N47 million and have paid. Now that you have been paid every kobo, what is delaying the work? We gave you four weeks to complete this building (Kajola station) but you are giving excuses with rainfall.
“I am giving 25th of November to complete the building. I am coming to Lagos for November meeting and the meeting will hold in this place; not in an uncompleted building but in a completed one. So, you should work day and night to achieve this.
“The reason why it will happen is because of the fact that other coaches are coming. They (coaches) will come before Christmas”, he said.
Amaechi added that more coaches would be deployed on the Lagos-Ibadan route before Christmas, and he would ensure that the free ride would commence during the Yuletide.
“I will struggle to make sure that before Christmas it happens. But even if it does not happen, this one will be available. The only problem with this is that we will insist on 24 passengers on each coach, making it 48 for the two”, Amaechi said.
