President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday inaugurated the Lagos-Ibadan railway project for commercial operation, describing it as another milestone in Nigeria’s railway revival.
The inauguration took place at the Mobolaji Johnson Railway Station, Ebute Metta, Lagos.
Buhari described the feat as “another milestone in the drive of this administration to revitalise the railway system and establish it as a choice mode of transportation for both passengers and freight.”
He pledged that his administration would continue to prioritise the railway system as a transportation backbone that could transform industrial and economic activity in the country.
On the benefits of the Lagos-Ibadan corridor as well as other on-going railway projects across the country, the president said that “this vital line establishes an end-to-end logistic supply chain in railway transport within its short corridor, Lagos – Ibadan.”
He said that goods coming into the hinterland would now be transported by rail directly from the Apapa Port Quayside straight to the Inland Container Depot located in Ibadan from where it can be distributed to other parts of the country.
While commending minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, for his drive and tenacity in achieving the milestone recorded today, the president praised the ‘‘wonderful team in the ministry’’ for a job well done.
Shortly after he inaugurated the project, Buhari took a ride from Ebute Metta Station to Energy Nature Light (ENL), Terminal, Apapa Port, Lagos.
He was joined by the Speaker House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, governors of Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun and the deputy governor of Ondo.
Others in the train were Mr Amaechi, minister of state for transportation Gbemisola Saraki and other ministers as well as some government officials.
Buhari’s last official visit to Lagos was on April 24, 2019 to commission projects by immediate past Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
