Many workers responsible for the Lagos-Ibadan rail project are stranded in China due to the coronavirus epidemic (COVID-19), according to Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi.
He said that the development could delay the completion of the project.
Amaechi said the Chinese government prevented some of the workers from returning to Nigeria because of the virus.
The Minister spoke on a television program followed by our correspondent.
He said, “Without Coronavirus, I would have said that we are almost done with the Lagos-Ibadan rail. Most of the workforce is still in China. The Chinese government did not allow them to return, which delayed work on Lagos-Ibadan. “
Amaechi added that the government is testing the railways.
He said 10 buses would each be deployed on the Lagos-Ibadan and Abuja-Kaduna rail lines to facilitate passenger movement.
The minister said, “We are still testing the tracks. Commercial activities have yet to start completely. To test the tracks, we brought two coaches, each coach takes around 25 passengers. Thus, the two coaches take around 50 passengers.
“We have received signals from passengers and engineers that the tracks are ready to go, but we need to complete the communication, signaling and station buildings. Once done, we are ready to go.
“We are bringing 20 new coaches and four new locomotives, 10 coaches will be deployed in Abuja-Kaduna and the other 10 in Lagos-Ibadan.”
