Ogun State, Chinese firm sign $3.2billion light rail contract

The Ogun State Government has signed a $3.2bn light rail project contract with the China Civil Engineering Construction Company.

The contract was signed on Monday at the governor’s office at Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, and the Consul General,  the Peoples Republic of China in Lagos, Kan Liu, was present.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun, who said the light rail would cover both inter-city and intra-city routes, explained that when operational, it would carry passengers and goods across major cities such as Abeokuta, Ijebu Ode, Sagamu, Agbara and Idiroko among others.

He said, “The light rail project is in two phases. The first will cut across the entire cities in the state, while the other phase will be for the Abeokuta metropolis.”

Amosun said the project, which is expected to be completed in three years, would greatly reduce the pressure on

roads in the state, and enhance its infrastructural development.

According to him, no nation develops without having the necessary infrastructure in place.

He said, “Like I always emphasise, without functioning and proper infrastructure, we cannot develop. This step we are taking today will help in technology transfer and bring positive impact on the lives of our people.

“If you go to China today, the only reason why they are now rated one of the economic powers of the world is because  ‎they have infrastructure in place, without infrastructure nothing can happen.

“If you go to Dubai today, you will see infrastructure there; go to Europe, in France, everywhere, infrastructure must be there. Without infrastructure, there cannot be any development.

The chairman of CCECC, Mr. Cao Baogang, who also said the project would be completed in three years, commended the governor for being a visionary leader.

He noted that the rail project would provide jobs for the teeming youths of the state.

Punch