This rail system must be completed in December

The news that the Federal Government would commission the new Lagos-Ibadan railway in December gladdened the hearts of so many Nigerians. This is because of the potential improvement that new project will bring to transportation sector of the nation’s economy.

President MuhammaduBuhari, therefore, deserves commendation for undertaking this project. But another news from a section of the media, indicating that the construction might not be completed in December, has given us a cause to worry. The fear is that if such news is proved to be true, it means our expectations on the railway might suffer setback.

Though the pace at which the Chinese company is working on it has so far been commendable, we need to urge the Minister for Transportation, MrRotimiAmaechi to liase with the company with a view to insisting on December deadline.

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Early completion of the road will go a long way to reduce pressure on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. Trucks and other articulated vehicles which have over the years constituted menace to the road and road users would divert their loads to the railway.

I hope the honourable minister would take this matter serious and also give it urgent attention it requires. We need to declare state of emergency on road carnage in the country. God bless Nigeria.

Abdullateef Akanmu, Aboderin Street, Felele, Ibadan.