Sen. Gbenga Ashafa, Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport, says the new Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail project is a fulfilment of the promises of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the electorate.
Ashafa said this on Tuesday at the ground breaking ceremony of the project in Lagos.
“One major aspect of this project is generation of employment. At least 250,000 jobs will be created through this project.
“Many people will be employed directly for the construction of the railway project.
“The project will bring a positive change to the economy of the people and traders will also benefit in the development,”Ashafa said.
He said that the Lagos to Kano and Calabar rail projects were also priorities of the present government, saying that the Senate was debating their approval.
Chief John Oyegun, APC National Chairman, also said that the Lagos – Ibadan rail project would hasten development through creation of jobs and economic growth.
“The rail project is going to professionalise transportation and save the country from constant road repairs.
“The project will advance the transportation system in the country,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government awarded the project to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation at the cost of $1.5 billion (about N458bn). (NAN)
