3,000 houses marked for demolition to pave way for standard railway line

No fewer than 3,000 houses and offices have been marked for demolition between Lagos and Ibadan to pave way for ongoing construction of standard gauge railway line from Lagos to Ibadan.

LEADERSHIP checks show that some of the properties marked for demolition in Lagos include; Railway Stations owned by Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) in Lagos, portion of Nigeria Army Barracks at Ojuelgba, portion of Tejuosho Market, portion of Ikeja Local Government Council, portion of Four Square Gospel Church, Agege, Police Station, Housing Estate as well as a portion of Moshood Abiola Trade Fair Complex at Abeokuta.

Others are utilities and properties owned by Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, Lagos/ Ogun State Water Corporation and those owned by private individuals Our findings further revealed that the houses and offices meant for demolition have since been marked with red paint and inscriptions such as 425+700, 3.7M – New 8M – K25+970.

Already the first and second phases of demolition exercise between Yaba and Ijoko have since been completed and illegal structures along the right of way between EbuteMetta Junction and Apapa have also been demolished.

The Minister of Transport, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Ameachi while fielding questions from journalists on the spot assessment of the Lagos to Ibadan standard gauge railway project handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) said discussions have reached advanced stage with relevant agencies of government at all levels and the property owner along the right of way of the ongoing construction of standard gauge railway line on how to reach an amicable agreement.

The present approach adopted by government according to the Minister is aimed that at ensuring that a seamless diversion of traffic, gas, water and fuel pipelines in order to avoid destruction of utilities / properties along the right of way. He said that alternative bridges will be built at Costain and Jibowu before demolition of the existing flyovers, saying gas , water pipelines will be diverted before commencement of civil work in the affected locations.

Credit: Leadership