FEC approves $11.17bn for Lagos-Calabar rail line

The Federal Government of Nigerian (FGN) has approved the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Standard Gauge Rail line at the sum of $11.17billion.

The approval was given at Wednesday’s meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who briefed the media after the meeting, says the project would link all the coastal cities in Nigeria.

“This particular route is very important because after the Lagos-Kano route, this Lagos-Calabar Coastal route actually will link all the coastal cities in the country.”

Mohammed said that the proposed route would also have alignments to major cities in Southern Nigeria.

“It will go from Lagos to Sagamu; Sagamu to Ijebu-Ode; Ijebu-Ode to Ore; Ore t Benin City; Benin-City to Sapele; Sapele to Warri; Warri to Yenogoa; Yenegoa to Port Harcourt; Port Harcourt to Aba; Aba to Uyo; Uyo to Calabar; Calabar to Akamkpa to Ikom, Obudu Ranch with branch lines from Benin-City to Agbo, Ogwashi-Ukwu, Asaba, Onitsha, Onitsha Bridge and then Port Harcourt to Onne Deep Sea Port.”

According to the minister, the Lagos-Calabar Standard Gauge Rail Line is very important especially for Nigeria’s coastal economy.

He said the project would be completed in six years.