New Lagos-Ibadan rail project will reduce pressure on expressway – RTEAN boss

The Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) on Tuesday said that the construction of new Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail line would reduce pressure on the busy highway.

Alhaji Muhammed Musa, Lagos State Chairman of RTEAN, told Newsverge that the project would reduce the amount of money spent on road maintenance annually when completed.

Musa said: “We are happy for the development of the new standard gauge railway services; it will give passengers the option of travelling either by road or by rail as it is in advanced countries.’’

According to him, the standard gauge will modernise the country’s transport system and boost the economies of various communities and interstate business activities.

The RTEAN chairman said that the rail line would also enhance freight services, thereby reducing the number of trailers and trucks on the expressway.

He advised government to embark on general rehabilitation of federal roads to curb crashes and robbery cases on the highways.

“There are constant accidents along Owo-Okenne-Lokoja road which government has to be proactive in its rehabilitation to avoid further loss of lives on the axis on regular basis,’’ said the RTEAN boss.

Speaking at the project’s ground breaking ceremony on March 7, the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, said that the new Lagos-Ibadan railway project would be completed in 2018.