Minister of Transportation Embarks On Another Inspection Tour of Lagos – Ibadan Rail Project, Says Government is Continuous
Oru Leonard and Israel Ibeleme
The Minister of Transportation, Rt. Honourable Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, has said that the railway project will continue to receive maximum attention whether he comes back as minister of transportation or not.
Honourable Amaechi said this at the 22nd inspection of the Lagos- Ibadan railway project at the weekend.
Rotimi Amaechi while speaking with journalists, the Railway Management team and the technical committee members, including the contractors of the project, CCECC and TEAM, thanked everyone for contributing to the success of the Lagos-Ibadan standard guage rail project.
“ We held the first meeting in Lagos. For those who started with us, there were no tracks , no roads, we were just driving from one point to the other. The place was void, we had to put forms.
“It looked challenging because at a point nobody believed we could get to this point. For those of you who may not like me, I apologise. But in life, not everybody will like you.
“For those of you who like me, it’s part of life. But what is critical in life is that, once you are given an assignment, please do everything possible to deliver it. We had confrontation here and there, we had challenges in Lagos and we were able to find solutions to it”, he said.
He charged everyone to keep the good work going, whether he remains the transport minister or not. 
Mr Loutfi Saad, Project Supervisor for TEAM Construction Company noted that Amaechi demonstrated technical skills from the beginning of the project.
He said the minister has championed the great progress the project has experienced, from the laying of beams and laying of tracks which he monitored daily to ensure that there was no breach of contract.
“He had showcased his managerial trait as he fully demonstrated total commitment to the development of railway since the beginning of the inspection and meetings.
“ We are hoping that you continue as the minister to complete all the rail projects you have started.”
The Project Manager of China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), Xiao Lijun recalled that March 7, 2017 was the groundbreaking ceremony of the 156-kilometre Lagos-Ibadan standard guage line. The groundbreaking was done by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.
According to him. the minister conducted over 22 inspections of the project aside various technical meetings held with the committee, to resolve challenges.
The Lagos Ibadan standard gauge that was awarded to the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company, CCECC to the tune of $1.6 billion was flagged off in March 2017.
