Thousands of passengers using the Ijoko to Lagos almost on daily basis have resorted to other means of transportation following the shut down of commercial activities on the train services along the corridor.
The services will also affect the weekly Lagos-Kano passenger train services of 1200 passengers on a return trip. The stations along the corridor include Iganmu-Ebute Metta Junction, Yaba, Mushin, Oshodi, Shogunle Ikeja, Agege, Iju, Agbado, Itoki, Oposuru, Ijoko and Kajola.
Jerry Oche, the Lagos rail district manager (RDM) of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) had in telephone conversation with BusinessDay few days ago said that, the NRC is suspending the daily operations of narrow gauge from Ijoko in Ogun to Ebute Meta-Apapa from Monday this week to fast track completion of the new standard gauge within deadline set by federal government.
Mr Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation, had on Monday announced November 2019 as deadline for completion of the project and commencement of Lagos – Ibadan standard gauge rail service.
According to NRC Lagos district manager, “We are shutting down our daily operations from Ijoko, Agbado, Agege Ikeja up to Ebute Metta and Apapa from Monday September 30 to November 16 this year. The development is going to last for six weeks to give room for contractor handling the Lagos-Ibadan Standard gauge to meet up with the deadline scheduled for delivery’’.
Jerry Oche disclosed that prior to the shut down of train services along the affected corridor, the Lagos district placed notices to that effect at the various NRC stations as well as advertorials on Traffic Radio and Bond FM
Nigeria’s minister of transportation Rotimi Amaechi had, while inspecting the project in company of the minister of state, transportation, Gbemi Saraki penultimate Monday said that the federal government planned to begin free ride on Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail line by November.
MIKE OCHONMA
