Passengers of Lagos and Ogun State are now rejoicing following federal government’s offer of free three months train ride to and fro their destination.
The Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi who revealed this in Ogun State to mark the completion of the Lagos-Abeokuta arm of the Nigerian Railway Modernisation Project said the free train ride was part of effort to test-run the track and also solicit for votes for the President Mohammadu Buharis return bid.
The minister said the people should vote for President Mohammadu Buhari to enable the government take the track further to Ibadan and beyond.
The Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, said the project was not about politics but service to the people.
Also, Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka lauded the project.
Soyinka said: “I came to see for what my hunting ground was appropriated and so far I am so content.
Chairman Senate Committee on Aviation Marine and Land Transport, Gbenga Ashafa, said the test-run was pre-commissioning of the Lagos-Ibadan rail project to show Nigerians that the Buhari’s administration has delivered on its promise of developing the nation’s infrastructure for economic growth.
He said about 9000 Nigerians were billed to be employed when the project takes off fully.
Ashafa noted that there were 11,000 Nigerians already employed by NRC, while 2000 engineers are currently studying in China, in preparation to take over the project from Chinese engineers.
