Completion of the Lagos-Ibadan railway projection may experience delay as a result of some obstruction on the right of way.
The Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, while on inspection of the project on Monday said that pipelines and other equipment on rail tracks may delay the early completion of the project.
Amaechi said the contractor handling the job, China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), was having difficulties relocating the pipelines.
The minister told newsmen after the inspection of the rail project at Ibadan, that water pipes, gas and fuel pipelines were identified as major challenge for the contractor.
He however said challenges on the bridges had been taken care of.
The Minister said though the laying of tracks from Agbado-Ibadan may have been completed, the biggest issue for the contractor is how to relocate the pipelines obstructing the rail tracks.
He added that the contractor was able to deal with the problem of equipment from Iju to Apapa, while they will have discussions with the Flour Mills on the part of their structure that would be affected.
“We will talk with them; pay them compensation and demolish the portion we need.
“But there is a pipe they have which is very dangerous, it comes from Escravos and the moment you shut that pipe, there will be fuel scarcity.
“We can’t afford fuel scarcity; so, we can’t afford to shut it down. Of concern to the contractor is the relocation of the Flour Mill Factory constructed on the existing narrow gauge track,” Amaechi said.