Nigerians have been assured that the proposed Lagos-Ibadan segment of Lagos-Kano rail line project will be ready and operational within the
next two and half years. The Minister for Transportation, Mr. Rotimi
Amaechi, gave this assurance in Lagos at the maiden lecture series with
the theme “Migrating workforce: The Challenges of Mass Transportation,”
organised by the Lagos Traffic Radio (96.1 FM).
According to the minister, also set for completion within be ready
within the projected period, is the Port Harcourt- Calabar rail line.
Both rail lines will, daily, move thousands of passengers across the
affected cities. Speaking at the lecture, Amaechi, disclosed that
government is bent on fast racking the project in order to reduce the
current pressure on road infrastructure with resultant accidents and
avoidable loss of lives, properties.
According to the minister, the rail lines apart from easing
transportation difficulties on the affected axes, will also throw up
other opportunities including jobs and auxiliary services that will add
to boosting the economy. Amaechi told the audience that the federal
government plans to open up the rail transportation system to the active
participation of the private sector.
He said a bill to realise this had been forwarded to the National
Assembly and currently receiving consideration. The minister said the
plan is to ultimately ensure that the rail system takes the cen-
Amaechi
tre stage in the nation’s public transportation system, with the
private sector playing a pivotal role, unlike in the past where this
segment of transportation was the exclusive of the public sector.
The minister also directed the Railway Command of the Nigeria Police
Force to stop forthwith, the practice of passengers hanging on moving
trains to avoid loss of lives.
The minister said it is the responsibility of the government to
protect lives of its citizens, and that it will be better to allow
passengers who cannot afford the transport fare to sit in the train than
for them to lose their lives. Giving the MD, NRC the directive to
involve the Nigerian police in arresting the offenders, he noted, “Some
will fall down and die, and they won’t say it was their fault; what did
the government do to keep that man alive.
“Part of the responsibility of government is not to provide
infrastructure alone, but is to keep you alive.’’ The minister said that
an efficient and effective intermodal transportation system was central
to the growth of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product. “We in the
transport ministry believe in the multimodal system where the water
connects with the road and the roads connect with the air.
“Without transportation man will die of hunger, take example, they
produce tomatoes in the north, not in the south. “Now, if there is no
transportation, only northerner will eat their tomatoes, so you need to
move tomatoes from Kano, for instance to Lagos. “Also, food cash crops
rot or depreciate in nutritional quality and economic value due to
inaccessibility to markets.
“So, basically, you need transportation to grow the economy.’’
According to Ameachi, there are also plans to further open up the
maritime space for private sector involvement.
He disclosed that proposals had been received from entities
indicating interest to ply the water transportation system, and called
on the Lagos State Government to take advantage of the open window by
partnering with the federal in the development of the inland waterways.
“There is a need to deal with the inland waterways, and it is
important the Lagos State Government come to meet with us, if not we
will concession it out. “Because you can actually design movement of
boats around Lagos to reduce traffic, because if you provide rail or
boats people can keep their vehicles at home, pick up the boats come to
work and go back. “In fact, I have actually told
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