The Federal Government is set to demolish two bridges in Lagos and other properties on the right of way to pave way for the construction of the Standard Gauge Rail line extension from Ebute-Meta to Apapa Seaports. They are the Jibowu and Costain bridges including properties on right of way at the Apapa Seaport.
The Hon. Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi disclosed this on Saturday during the routine monthly inspection tour of the Rail Line from the Ebute-Meta end of the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge Rail Line to Apapa Sea port in Lagos.
Amaechi hinted that considering the ‘heavy economy’ of Lagos as well as to avoid causing unnecessary traffic chaos within the affected areas without providing alternative bridges, there was need to complete construction work on that axis before demolishing the bridges.
“There are two bridges we are going to demolish in Lagos; one is at Jibowu and the other one is at Costain. But we have to finish construction before we demolish because Lagos is such a heavy economy that if you demolish without first of all constructing the alternative bridges, you’ll cause serious crisis with the traffic. So, we will first finish construction before we demolish the Jibowu Bridge. They have commenced with Costain; when they finish with the construction and get the traffic relieved, then we’ll demolish the old bridge”, he said.
On the solutions to the challenges hindering the conveying of cargoes by train from the Apapa Seaport, the Minister added that currently, the Standard Gauge Rail Line has not been constructed to Apapa ports and the Narrow Gauge Line is not functioning to its full capacity hence, the train could not move enough cargoes as expected.
