Lagos-Ibadan train stations hampered by power supply, access roads- CCECC

The 157 kilometers Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail corridor has started passenger service operation since last year, but the twin factors of steady  power supply and accessible road linking many of the train stations with the major roads along the corridor are still lacking.

This was disclosed last Wednesday by Xia Lijun, deputy managing director of Chinese Civil Engineering & Construction Corporation (CCECC) being contractors of the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail project during the oversight inspection of the facilities at the Obafemi Awolowo Train Station, Moniya, Ibadan by the Joint National  Assembly Committee on Land Transport.

In his words, “Most of our train stations don’t have good access roads. Please help us look into this issue. Again, the issue of power supply is a problem. Without us getting connected to the power supply from the national grid, getting signalling and communication of the trains up and running is difficult”.

Also speaking, the managing director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Fidet Okhiria represented by Niyi Alli, director of operations said that the Corporation is increasing technology to restore confidence in the trains.

According to him, the NRC is deploying technology and it is only then we are sure that we would open up the line. That would give people the assurance that things are being done.

On the existing lines, the organisation is doing the same thing. We are increasing technology. We are increasing policing. We are using some things that I can’t really talk about on camera.

The director of operations assured that, the NRC  is doing everything possible within its power and with other sister agencies to ensure the security of our passengers on board.

“In terms of operation, you can imagine Abuja-Kaduna service, we have not resumed that, but in terms of other lines, customers and passengers are getting the confidence back again and the number has started to go up again”. Alli concluded.