Amaechi informed that the Federal Government was not commissioning the Railway project but that it was a decision to put the train on the track of the completed segment of the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge Rail line in order for the people to enjoy the privilege of riding the train for three months free of charge. “This is not a commissioning ceremony, but we have decided to get the train on the track and convey passengers for three months free of charge”, he said.
According to him, “we are grateful to Ogun State Government for the warm welcome to witness the standard Gauge. This is not the first, the first is Itakpe to Warri, while this is the third, the Kaduna to Abuja is the second one”.
The Minister having performed the test running, Friday 8th of February, 2019, the Iju to Abeokuta route of the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge Railway will now be opened for free passengers train ride for three months.
The Minister penultimate week had stated that the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo would perform the flag-off of the Iju to Abeokuta of the Lagos-Ibadan Railway Project.
Rotimi Amaechi called on the people to reciprocate the good work of President Muhammadu Buhari by voting massively for APC in the forth coming elections if they want the project to continue from Abeokuta to Ibadan and Kano.
In his goodwill message, Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport, Sen Olugbenga Ashafa eulogies the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari stating that the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge Railway has generated about 11, 000 direct and indirect jobs and currently, about 2, 000 Nigerian youths are under the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Scholarship studying different engineering courses in the Republic of China.
He called on the people of the area to reciprocate the good work of the government by voting for APC in the forthcoming elections in order to continue with this good work.
The Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosu in his briefing said that history is being made in Nigeria as he praised President Muhammadu Buhari for ‘working his talk’.
The Governor described the Iju-Abeokuta flag-off as life changing experience to Nigerians and the people of Ogun State in particular. He noted that the Railway project would attract enormous benefits to the people of Nigeria and Ogun State.
According to him, the construction of the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge Railway will improve the economy of Nigeria, provide direct and indirect employment for the teeming youths, lead to technology transfer, reduce the pressure on our roads particularly, the Lagos Ibadan express way, reduce travel time between Lagos and Abeokuta and eliminate the risks as well as challenges associated with travelling by these roads.
Prof. Wole Soyinka while acknowledging the good work of the present Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari said he disagrees with the Hon. Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi on the nature of the gathering which he described as political. ‘I disagree with the last speaker who regarded this gathering as political’; “This is not a political event. I am here because of the Railway infrastructure brought to my place. I don’t give a damn who puts it there. It doesn’t matter whatsoever as long as we have the Railway working for the benefit of our people”. He said.
He drives his point home with a proverb ‘It does not matter if a man sees a snake and the snake was killed by a woman.The most important thing is that, the snake has been killed’. He thanked the Government for the appreciable work done.
The Alake of Egba Land, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo was full of praises for President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration. He rendered a special song in his native Yoruba language to express his joy to the Government for providing the massive Railway infrastructure that passes through Ogun State.
He noted that his people can now convey their farm produce to Lagos State with ease as it was the practice in time past. He thanked the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari for the great work.
The occasion attracted very important dignitaries and Stakeholders alike.
