FG Offers Free Train Ride From Lagos To Abeokuta
The federal government on Friday commenced free daily passenger train ride from Iju to Abeokuta in Ogun state and back on the newly constructed Standard gauge railway line.
Minister of Transport Rt.Hon. Rotimi Amaechi made this known at Abeokuta after the test run of two passenger Coaches on the Standard gauge railway line from Iju to Abeokuta within 29 minutes.
He disclosed that the free train ride will operate thrice daily from Iju to Abeokuta and back for three months after which passengers will be required to pay fares.
According to him, work on the Iju to Iddo and Apapa axis of the project will continue after the test run, adding that with the completion of the Iju to Abeokuta Standard gauge railway line people can live in Abeokuta and work in Lagos and return to Abeokuta on the same day.
The Governor of Ogun state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun in his remarks commended the Federal government and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation for a job well done adding that the project when completed will change Nigeria to an emerging Nation.
According to him, no country develops without developing its infrastructure noting that bulky goods can now be conveyed by rail from Lagos to Abeokuta by rail and by extension reduce damage of the nation’s roads caused by heavy duty trucks that bulky goods.
Amosun explained further that when completed a train can convey 1,000 containers in one full swoop in one day compared to one week used to convey one container by rail.
Also speaking, Senator Gbenga Ashafa said that over 11,000 have been gainfully employed while 2,000 Nigerians have been sent for training in China to acquire technical skill required to operate the trains.
