The Lagos-Ibadan standard rail line would be commission in December, transport minister Rotimi Amaechi gave the assurance on Thursday.
After a closed door meeting with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, Amaechi thanked members of the communities whose property were affected by the construction.
He said the contractors handling the project would commence work on the Lagos axis next week on both the standard gauge lines.
The minister said the Lagos State Government had been very helpful in the payment of compensation to those affected.
The federal government, he said, was looking for private partnership to build the two mega Stations in Lagos.
He said that the one at Apapa and the other at Ebute-Meta would be expanded to accommodate a mall and hotel.
Amaechi said discussions were also on with the contractor handling the narrow gauge lines.
He explained that newly awarded contract for Tin Can-Oworonshoki-Ojota road would also aid in evacuating cargoes from the Ports in addition to the two rail lines which would both terminate at the Apapa seaport.
Host Ambode thanked the Federal Government as well as the Minister of Works, Power and Housing for expediting action described the efforts being made as a two-prong approach to ease the Apapa gridlock.
He reiterated the State Government’s commitment to collaborate with the Federal Government on the project as it would alleviate the sufferings of the people.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both the Federal and the State Governments have been making concerted efforts in the last few weeks to find lasting solutions to the traffic gridlock which had caused a lock down on both businesses and private activities in the Apapa axis.(NAN)
