BY ODILI CHRISTEL
Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has indicated that the official launching of Abuja-Kaduna rail project would
not be feasible by May 29 which was the date earlier set.
Amaechi made this known, while reviewing the arrival of two new coaches at Idu, Abuja by the contractors, China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) on Tuesday.
He noted that the delay is as a result of the refusal of the daughters of charity Hospital in Kubwa to reposition to enable the alignment of the rail track.The minister however said that negotiation had been completed with the hospital, adding that a new facility, including a convent, would be built for them by the contractors on a new site.
According to him, “The Daughters of Charity hospital refused the demolition of their place to allow for the alignment, the negotiation have taken place and we have agreed that demolition will commence tomorrow.
“The fencing will start from today, we will keep to our own side of the bargain, we have given them the C of O which they have confirmed and the contractors have agreed to build the hospital and convent.
“We have been told by the engineers not to give time anymore for the official launching.”
The minister while inspecting the newly arrived coaches noted that One thousand staff will be needed in every six kilometers of the way for maintenance purposes till the end. The staff will be given primary training while the Transportation University will be under construction.
He noted that the issue of security and conveyance of passengers from the city centre to Idu rail station would be resolved before the test-run. Ameachi said that three more coaches will arrive Abuja from Lagos in the next ten days.
In his words, “We have two coaches here, the remaining three will arrive in the next 10 days from Lagos but so far we have been able to resolve what made us not to keep to the date.
Also speaking, Acting Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation, Mr. Fidet Okhiria, disclosed that the coaches have a life span of 30 years.
Okhiria said that one year warranty and maintenance is contained in the contract, adding that three more coaches which include the executive coach, parcel van and the regular passenger coaches are expected soon from Apapa where there were offloaded.
He noted that railway is major source of employment, adding that the more trains the country has will require more Engineers for control, maintenance and operation as tracks and coaches have to be maintained continuously due to their life span. Okhiria stated that the two new air conditioned coaches that just arrived are expected to carry 88 passengers in each.
-N.B, The target date for commercial running of the railway to convey passengers is expected to be met between May and June. View pictures below.
