Lagos–Ibadan Rail Line 90 percent Complete - Buhari

… to be extended to Lagos Port

Peter Olaniyi

President Muhammadu Buhari has informed that the Lagos Ibadan Rail line is now 90 percent complete, affirming that the rail line would be extended to Lagos Port which would help address the long-standing gridlock at the Apapa port.

Buhari stated this yesterday in his address to Nigerians on the occasion of the Democracy Day, marking 21 years of uninterrupted civil administration in our dear country.

According to him

“We are extending and upgrading our railway network too. We are introducing more locomotives, coaches, and wagons for the Abuja-Kaduna Rail Line. The Central Ajaokuta – Itakpe – Warri Line has been completed and is being extended from Itakpe to Abuja on one end and from Warri Town to Warri Port on the other.

“The Lagos-Ibadan Rail Line is 90% completed and would be extended to the Lagos Port which would help address the long-standing gridlock at the Apapa port.

The President further said the country has witnessed eleven quarters of consecutive GDP growth since exiting recession.

He said the GDP grew from 1.91% in 2018 to 2.27% in 2019 but declined to 1.87% in the first quarter of 2020 as a result of the decline in global economic activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have witnessed eleven quarters of consecutive GDP growth since exiting recession.

The GDP grew from 1.91% in 2018 to 2.27% in 2019 but declined to 1.87% in the first quarter of 2020 as a result of the decline in global economic activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aligning with stakeholders on the need to diversify the economy, the President said agriculture remains the key to economic diversification strategy.

He further said Government is also revamping the cotton, textile and garment sector via a CBN Textile Revival Intervention Fund that would considerably reduce foreign exchange spent on cotton and other textile imports