There have been issues over the planned demolition of some bridges in Lagos and Ogun states to give way to the standard rail line.
The construction of the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail which groundbreaking was carried out by Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo on March 7, then, Acting President has been stunted by problem of right of way within the corridors.
The inauguration of the 150-kilometre fast-train service which is expected to run side-by-side with the existing narrow gauge was greeted with excitement by many in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states.
They said the project when completed would not only transform the economy of the South-West but the entire country as it would aid massive movement of cargos.
The $1.5bn project, which is the phase two of the Lagos-Kano standard gauge train service, is being undertaken by the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), a subsidiary of the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).
The first phase of the project was the Abuja-Kaduna project which is currently in operation. The Lagos-Ibadan axis of the project is to be linked with Apapa Sea Port.
However, the work, which has barely reached 25 per cent, according to findings by Daily Trust, has been stalled by issues of right of way and obstructions in some parts of Lagos and Ogun states.
Some of the obstructions which the federal and Lagos and Ogun governments among others have been meeting to remove include some level crossings within Lagos metropolis, bridges in Lagos and Ogun, as well as some electric poles in Lagos.
Few weeks ago, the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) met with relevant state governments and stakeholders over the issue where the Chairman of the Board, Engineer Usman Abubakar, who represented the Minister, Mr Rotimi Amaechi said the government was working with relevant agencies to resolve the issue of access.
He said: “The challenges remain the same – access. We understand some structures are along the way, there are some bridges that are too low which would have to go. These are the challenges you encounter on all projects built in urban area and this is normal.”
The federal government delegation led by Amaechi had on July 10 met with the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun at Ijoko where another bridge being constructed by the government is found to be obstructing the project. The height of the bridge is said to be too low to accommodate the free passage of the train and the future electrification of the rail line.
Apart from Ijoko Bridge, there are other bridges in Lagos that have been identified by the contractor.
Amaechi who was in Lagos few weeks ago to inspect the project told newsmen that two bridges would go in Lagos. They are Jibowu-Ojuelegba and Costain bridges which he said they would be rebuilt. He added that the one at Ijoko would go down three meters.
He said “at Ijoko, the train will go down three metres to accommodate the overhead bridge there. There are only two bridges that will go down for the Lagos-Ibadan rail project; and they are the Jibowu to Ojuelegba overhead bridge and the Constain overhead bridge. We will demolish them, rebuild them and raise their height so that the trains can go under them.”
The minister however reassured that the completion date of December, 2018 remains sacrosanct.
“These are problems that are expected particularly when a project like this has to cut through an urban settlement like Lagos. We will also meet with the Nigerian Gas Company to resolve the issue with the gas pipeline very soon.
“This is a continuation of the narrow gauge line. The narrow gauge line has to come into Papalanto at Kajola and Ijoko to create space for the standard gauge line going to Ibadan.”
However, it was not clear how the federal government would demolish the two bridges because of their strategic positions.
Daily Trust reports that there are two flyover bridges in the Jibowu axis – one leading to Yaba and the other to Ojuelegba up to Baracks Bus stop. The latter which starts from Fadeyi is the only bridge with rail tracks underneath. Also, it was not clear which of the bridges in Costain is going to be demolished.
Since the announcement was made, tongues have continued to wag about the practicability of the planned demolition given the peculiar traffic situation in Lagos.
Though the two bridges belong to the federal government, it was not clear the level of consultation with the state government on how to go about it without adding to the woes of residents who are already weighed down by terrific traffic snarls in the Lagos metropolis.
Besides, observers are concern how the project would be delivered in 2018 if the two bridges are demolished.
The acting Commissioner for Transport in Lagos State, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi, said demolishing the bridges may not be necessary, saying the contractor can dig deeper into the ground to create way.
“I was not there when the Minister said that they want to bring down and rebuild those two bridges, but I can remember the Chinese trying to explain to the Minister the implication and cost of removing those two bridges.
“But what we intend to communicate to the Minister as regards those two bridges, is that instead of rebuilding them, why not dig a little bit deeper into the ground to create space for the standard gauge trains.”
Contacted, the Commissioner for Planning and Urban Development, Mr Wasiu Anifowose told Daily Trust that the state government has not been briefed about the plan to demolish the bridges.
He said, “We are yet to be briefed, we are just hearing the rumour. He (the Minister) never visited the governor. As far as my Ministry is concerned, I am yet to be briefed. If I am briefed, I will let you know.”
Though the contractor handling the project keeps mum on the details, a source said the Minister’s pronouncement was not final. “The Minister should have used, ‘may’ instead of ‘will.’ Talks are still ongoing and the engineers and project consultants may likely come up with another alternative other than the demolition.”
The Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Ikeja Branch, Engineer Akintayo Akintola said there was no enough inputs from citizenry in the ongoing construction work, adding that government should have carried out the necessary environmental impact assessment.
According to him, the NSE was never consulted on the project which makes it difficult for him to make meaningful comment. He said, “Let’s take the fact on ground, is it cost-effective? How much was the money for the bridge when it was built? What is the cost of rebuilding it? When you destroy the bridge, will it not affect the vehicular activities around? Are they going to make alternative roads?”
