FEC Approves $11.17b Rail Project to Link Coastal Cities in Nigeria

• Lai Mohammed revealed that the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, made a presentation of two memos, which had to do with the Federal Government  of Nigeria to expand and consolidate the rail project.

The Federal Executive Council has approved a total of $11.17 billion to link the coastal cities in Nigeria by rail.

The project is expected to last for six years.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who briefed the State House correspondents after a virtual meeting, presided over by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.

Lai Mohammed revealed that the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, made a presentation of two memos, which had to do with the Federal Government  of Nigeria to expand and consolidate the rail project.

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“The first one has to do with the Kano-Jibia rail and the other one has to do with the Port Harcourt-Maidugiri rail.

“Actually, what was approved today was funding to ensure that work starts immediately on those two rails.

“And then, also another memo that was approved today was the ratification of the president’s approval for the award of contract for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Standard Gauge.’’

He said the project was an old project which was inherited by the current administration.

Mohammed said that under the former administration, approval was given but nothing was done.

“Today, the council has given approval to commence the Lagos-Calabar Coastal rail.

“This particular route is very important because after the Lagos-Kano route, this Lagos-Calabar Coastal route actually will link all the coastal cities in the country.

“Actually, the proposed route alignment is as follows; it will go from Lagos to Sagamu, Sagamu to Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Ode to Ore, Ore to Benin City, Benin-City to Sapele, Sapele to Warri, Warri to Yenogoa, Yenegoa to Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt to Aba, Aba to Uyo, Uyo to Calabar, Calabar to Akamkpa to Ikom, Obudu Ranch with branch lines from Benin-City to Agbo, Ogwashi-ukwu, Asaba, Onitsha and Onitsha Bridge and then Port Harcourt to Onne Deep Sea Port.

“This particular route is very important especially for our coastal economy; the cost of the project is 11. 17 billion dollars,’’ he said.

According to him, the project is expected to be completed in six years.