Osinbajo, while speaking during the flag-off ceremony in Ebute-Meta, Lagos, said that the project was a section of the standard gauge Lagos-Kano rail with extension to the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa.
The acting President said the ground-breaking ceremony marked the commencement of the Federal Government’s plan to improve transport links with Lagos, the nation’s economic nerve centre, to other state capitals across the country.
He noted that the rail project is a plan close to the heart of President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that it will create about 500,000 jobs and facilitate the movement of over 3.2 million tonnes of cargo annually.
Advertisement
He recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari, during his visit to China in January 2016, had reopened negotiations with the Chinese government for the new Lagos-Kano rail project.
Osinbajo said, “An active and vibrant railway system confers many benefits on the society. Our ultimate goal is to restore a railway culture for both commercial and personal transportation. We are confident that the national rail project will create up to half a million jobs and facilitate the movement of up to 3.2 million tonnes of cargo per annum.”
Today, I participated in the ground breaking ceremony of the Lagos-Ibadan section of the Lagos-Kano standard gauge railway project. pic.twitter.com/1yLXWX43GD
—Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) March 7, 2017
First, it signals the determination of President @MBuhari to modernize the national rail system in keeping with his promise to Nigerians.
— Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) March 7, 2017
If there is a project close to the heart of the president, it is the rail project.
— Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) March7, 2017
Secondly, the ceremony marks the commencement of our plan to speedily improve the links between Lagos and other state capitals and towns.
— Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) March 7, 2017
Thirdly, our ground breaking today reflects the plans of the FG to build a globally competitive economy with first grade infrastructure.
— Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) March 7, 2017
An active and vibrant railway system confers many benefits on the society and our ultimate goal is to restore a railway-using culture.
— Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) March7, 2017
We are confident that the rail project will create up to 500k jobs and facilitate the movement of over 3.2 million tonnes of cargo annually.
— Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) March 7, 2017
The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, described the event as historic and was optimistic that the project would benefit the people immensely as well as transform the economy of the country.