Railway Rehabilitation - Costain West Africa, CCECC Commence Work

THIS DAY

Chidi Ugwu

12 February 2010

Lagos — China Civil Engineering Construction Company, and Messr. Costain West Africa Plc have commenced work on the much awaited nationwide rehabilitation of Nigerian Railway Corporation tracks.

The Chinese contractor, which was awarded the project for the 488km Lagos-Jebba phase of the rehabilitation, in the last quarter of last year, has moved to sites with its engineers, technicians, and other workmen.

A statement by the NRC's Public Relations Officer, Mr. Segun Esan, as a result of the exercise, "Terminal destination and take-off point of all Mass Transit trains within Lagos metropolis shifted to Ebutte-Metta Junction Station at Alagomeji as rehabilitation works have resumed on Iddo and Apapa line".

It said that the contractor handling the 640km Jebba-Kano phase of the rehabilitation, Costain West Africa Plc, was also on site.

"So far, over 3,000 Nigerians have been engaged through the on-going rehabilitation projects" the statement added.

The Federal Government had awarded the rehabilitation of the Lagos-Jebba contract to CCECC last November at a cost of N12. 13 billion, while that of Jebba-Kano was awarded to Costain the following month at the cost of N12.2 billion.

The entire stretch of the track between Lagos and Kano is 1128km.

The corporation said, "The on-going nationwide rehabilitation of the corporation's rail tracks, telecommunication facilities is expected to be completed within a period of months".

The competition period is expected to coincide with the delivery of 25 brand new locomotives engines.
According to the minister of Transport, Alhaji Ibrahim Bio, "The delivery of these new locomotives will be key to our continued railroad infrastructure development and economic growth.

"The President and Federal Government of Nigeria are determined to revive the comatose railway system into a critical enabling engine of the economy.
The first batch will be delivered this month and by September, all engines should have been delivered.

The minister said it was part of comprehensive attempts to revitalise and modernise rail transport in the country.
"The central role of transportation in the seven point agenda of the Federal Government makes it necessary to focus on rail transportation being a mass carriers of people and goods.

Also the rail transport forms a critical component of the Federal Government under the new transport policy" he said.
Bio said the contract was awarded to the contractors after a careful study of their competence and their past jobs, adding that they had passed through due process and approval by relevant government agencies.

The track rehabilitation is expected to enhance the signals and telecommunications as well as the carriage/wagon departments where signalling facilities are undergoing wholesome rehabilitation to give strength to train operations.

Lagos — China Civil Engineering Construction Company, and Messr. Costain West Africa Plc have commenced work on the much awaited nationwide rehabilitation of Nigerian Railway Corporation tracks. The Chinese contractor, which was awarded the project for the 488km Lagos-Jebba phase of the rehabilitation, in the last quarter of last year, has moved to sites with its engineers, technicians, and other workmen. A statement by the NRC's Public Relations Officer, Mr. Segun Esan, as a result of the exercise, "Terminal destination and take-off point of all Mass Transit trains within Lagos metropolis shifted to Ebutte-Metta Junction Station at Alagomeji as rehabilitation works have resumed on Iddo and Apapa line". It said that the contractor handling the 640km Jebba-Kano phase of the rehabilitation, Costain West Africa Plc, was also on site. "So far, over 3,000 Nigerians have been engaged through the on-going rehabilitation projects" the statement added. The Federal Government had awarded the rehabilitation of the Lagos-Jebba contract to CCECC last November at a cost of N12. 13 billion, while that of Jebba-Kano was awarded to Costain the following month at the cost of N12.2 billion. The entire stretch of the track between Lagos and Kano is 1128km. The corporation said, "The on-going nationwide rehabilitation of the corporation's rail tracks, telecommunication facilities is expected to be completed within a period of months". The competition period is expected to coincide with the delivery of 25 brand new locomotives engines. According to the minister of Transport, Alhaji Ibrahim Bio, "The delivery of these new locomotives will be key to our continued railroad infrastructure development and economic growth. "The President and Federal Government of Nigeria are determined to revive the comatose railway system into a critical enabling engine of the economy. The first batch will be delivered this month and by September, all engines should have been delivered. The minister said it was part of comprehensive attempts to revitalise and modernise rail transport in the country. "The central role of transportation in the seven point agenda of the Federal Government makes it necessary to focus on rail transportation being a mass carriers of people and goods. Also the rail transport forms a critical component of the Federal Government under the new transport policy" he said. Bio said the contract was awarded to the contractors after a careful study of their competence and their past jobs, adding that they had passed through due process and approval by relevant government agencies. The track rehabilitation is expected to enhance the signals and telecommunications as well as the carriage/wagon departments where signalling facilities are undergoing wholesome rehabilitation to give strength to train operations.