The Federal Government has said that a whopping $3 billion was required to link Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to Itakpe rail line.
Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, made the disclosure last Thursday during an inspection tour of Itakpe rail project.
He further noted that a seaport will be required for a successful connection of Abuja to Itakpe by rail.
Nonetheless, Amaechi said for that to happen, approval must be given by the Federal executive council.
“Connecting the Itakpe-Abuja project, we have to go to the cabinet first, when the cabinet approve that, it will be a different project altogether.
“we need about $3 billion dollars with a seaport at Warri”, Amaechi said.
The minister said work had reached advanced stage of completion, pointing out that what was left was laying of tracks.
“There is nearly completion here. Julius Berger has said that they will be out of here by June and the only person that have to be left here is the CCECC which have to do with the tracks work. And, when they finish the track work, these place would be open for use.
“On the track we’ve compared the track work and what is outstanding with the stations that they are working on and so, before September, October, they should be able to finish the stations if they continue with the pace of work and they can actually do it. We are not harassing them today because we are owing them. But, when we pay them, we can harass them.
“The communications guys are here, they have reported to site, but, not much is felt, so we need to send for because, they are the problem we have now. But, when the finish, there will be the train, the track, there will be the offices, but; they question is, the goods. So, we need the companies that are mining iron-ore here and then the passengers to use the train.”
The minister further stated: “We have 12 stations on this axis and non is been completed. There are different levels of completion and some, they said that they have finished with the structural work, it remains the mere finishing.
Amaechi further revealed that the entire project will be completed by October.
“This place should be ready by September, October. The complain on site so, I have to verify that when I get back. They should start paying for the ride, it can be free forever. I’m impressed with the level of work done so far. When you are owning someone, you can’t say that you are not impressed with them. Remember, this is the third visit. The first visit, this place was overgrown by weeds and with nothing. The second visit, they have started, but; only on the other phase, the third visit, almost completed.
He directed the Nigeria Railway Corporation(NRC) to put an end to the free train ride that was introduced in October 2018.
” Passengers should start paying money, it can’t be free for ever,” he said.
“This is the fastest train that I have joined in Nigeria, the design speed is 150, the actual running speed is 120, so, if you are going on 111, it’s just 9 kilometers away from the 120 kilometers. We would not spend billion fencing the rail tracks”.
