The Federal Executive Council (FEC) of Nigeria has approved the ratification of the award of a contract worth US$ 11,174,769,721.74 for the implementation of the Lagos-Calabar Railway Line Project, which is also known as the West-East Coastal Railway Line Project.
Speaking on the memo presented to FEC by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who was absent at the briefing, Lai Mohammed, the federal Minister of Information and Culture explained that this is a very old project, inherited from the former administration under which the project did not develop, significantly.
“Today, however, the FEC has given the approval to commence the Lagos-Calabar coastal route which is very important especially for our coastal economy because, after the Lagos-Kano route, it (the Lagos-Calabar coastal route) actually will link all the coastal cities in the country,” said Mohammed.
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Project overview
The Lagos-Calabar Railway Line Project route alignment according to the federal Minister of Information and Culture starts from Lagos to Shagamu, Ijebu-Ode, Ore, Benin City, Sapele, Warri, Yenagoa, Port Harcourt, Aba, Uyo, Calabar, Akamkpa, Ikom, Obudu Ranch, with a branch line from Benin City to Asaba, Onitsha Bridge and then Port Harcourt to Onne Deep Seaport, for a total distance of 1,402 kilometers.
The construction of the 1,402 kilometers of standard gauge railway line will be undertaken in two phases. The first phase will run between Calabar and Port Harcourt, while the second phase will run between Port Harcourt and Lagos through Onitsha.
In addition to the laying of railway lines, the project also includes the construction of railway platforms, 22 railway stations, and ancillary facilities such as administrative space and level crossings. Other works include the installation of safety systems, electrical systems, lighting systems, signaling systems, and electricity lines.
According to Minister Mohammed, the Lagos-Calabar Railway Line Project will be completed in a period of 72 months.
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