The Senator representing Oyo South senatorial district and the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator Riliwan Soji Akanbi on Friday joined the Minster of Transportation, Chief Rotimi Amaechi to test run the standard gauge from Iju Lagos to Abeokuta.
Soji Akanbi who left the All Progressives Congress (APC) after Governor Abiola Ajimobi showed interest in the senatorial race was spotted with other dignitaries namely Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Professor Wole Soyinka and others.
We’re on the #LagosIbadanRail Train, about to set off from Iju, to Abeokuta. Alake of Egbaland, Governor of Ogun, Minister of Transport, Senators, etc on board. #PMBMeansBusiness pic.twitter.com/G4vgkNdgGW
— Tolu Ogunlesi, MON (@toluogunlesi) February 8, 2019
Amaechi, who spoke at the flag off, said the train was moving at a speed of 60 kilometres per hour, but could potentially go as fast as 150 kilometres an hour.
On board the Lagos – Ibadan Railway project pic.twitter.com/p9Vt6KlNh8
— Yakubu (@yankydo) February 8, 2019
Also speaking the Alake of Egbaland, said the new Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge rail line would improve the economy of Egbaland.
He said: “Today, history is repeating itself.
“In Egbaland in 1906, similar event happened when the narrow gauge passed through Abeokuta and it helped to boost economy of the people.
“This development will improve the economic standard of the people, in terms of prompt movement of goods and services within the towns and the state.”
The monarch said that the fact that train remained the cheapest means of transporting goods and people made the occasion more remarkable.
