But the completion of one of such rail projects — the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail estimated to cost $1.5 billion — is threatened with some many challenges which may hamper the December completion date. Explaining the enormity of the challenges, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said that the rail project had about 43 kilometres of water pipes to be replaced. “Rail transport if fully developed along this corridor, economic activities will begin to spring up, transport will become cheaper, agriculture will become better practice, industry will spring up and it will be managed properly. In his view, Mr Fidet Okhiria, the Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation, said the challenges confronting the Lagos-Ibadan rail line had been technically resolved. Mr Hassan Bello, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, also said that railway project had become a success story for the country.

Source: Nigerian Tribune April 18, 2018 01:30 UTC