Oyo, Chinese firm sign MoU on light-rail construction in Ibadan

The Oyo State government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a Chinese firm, CCECC, for the construction of a light rail transport system in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The rail system, which will cover about 24 kilometres, would move from Ojoo to Mokola, stretching to the Ibadan end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The project is expected to be completed within three years.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Ibadan, Governor Abiola Ajimobi described the development as another milestone in his administration’s quest to modernise major cities in the state, saying the project was long overdue for the state with a population of over 10 million, as any city with a population of at least 2 million required a light rail system of transportation.

“We believe that in our quest to modernise Oyo State, particularly in the area of transportation system that will consequently lead to the economic development of the state, having a light rail system is a

sine qua non.

“Ibadan as a city, and indeed, Oyo State, with over 10 million people, is overdue for a rail system that can move people in large number from places to places. Rail is the largest and most effective

transportation system to achieve this.

“In our repositioning agenda, we believe that transportation plays a major role in the economic development. Apart from the road network that we have established, we are also committed to the construction of the light rail system,’’ he said.

Ajimobi said the state was moving up a notch with the provision of the light rail system to ease traffic congestion and reduce the cost of transportation for individuals as well as small and large scale businesses within the Ibadan metropolis.

He explained further that the light rail system would initially operate within the Ibadan metropolis before being extended to other cities in the state.

Li Binj, chief engineer of the Chinese firm, disclosed that his firm did not just come to the state with cutting-edge technology, but also with the desire to transfer such to the local people who he said would be engaged for the project.

Binj, who signed the MoU on behalf of his firm, said the project would give employment to thousands of people in the state, aside the transfer of technology to those who would be involved in the execution of the project.

 

Remi Feyisipo