By Anthony Isaac
The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi has expressed doubt over the April completion deadline for the Lagos-Ibadan rail project.
The Minister who inspected the project alongside the Minister of for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Saraki and the Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde, told reporters on Monday that the Ebutte Metta – Apapa axis was becoming a huge challenge.
He noted that the Ebute Metta – Ibadan axis was virtually completed, the urban nature of Lagos was a major problem.
Amaechi who declined to name a possible completion date, lamented that officials involved were not telling the whole truth.
He said: “On the April-May deadline, I can’t answer that question. When you ask them, they still tell you it’s true. Let me not continue to give you a date and getting to that date, we are not there. They are being political. When I complained the last time, they said minor stations will be completed in April. They won’t talk about the major stations.
“It’s a mixed bag. In some stations, you are impressed in others you are not. Last time we came here, we had to suspend work because they were using what we refer to as stone dust now they are using balace to do the foundation. Not much happened at Abeaokuta Station.
“The worst is from Ebute Metta to Apapa. That is painful and that will be the focus from now henceforth. All sort of excuses. I have asked to meet with Nigeria Port Authority on Thursday or Friday to resolve those issues.”
He continued: “If it’s in terms of tracks, it’s 100%. Apart from Ebute Metta but what you must know is that there are two contracts here. The first contract is from Ebute Metta to Ibadan.
Chinese firm, the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) are the contractors for the project.
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