Ibadan, Oct. 5, 2023 – States in the South-west have resolved to use rail system within the area to boost economic activities in the region.
Stakeholders in the region made the resolution at a meeting in Ibadan on Wednesday where they decided to use rail interconnectivity within the region for the purpose.
The stakeholders included commissioners of transportation from the respective states and the management of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN).
Seye Oyeleye, the Director General of DAWN, said the proposed rail connection would depopulate the urban centres as well ease the movement from one end to the other.
He said the ideas were conceived and birthed by DAWN, adding that the Commission is being saddled with the responsibility of muting developmental ideas subject to approval of the respective state government.
Oyeleye suggested that the six states should put together a roadmap and timeline to actualize the project, but stressed that there must be a proper transportation system within the region to enhance development.
“We have gathered here to deliberate on how to have rail for Western Nigeria, we have gathered rail expert home and abroad, whatever resolutions we made will be taking to the respective states, all the issues and obstacles will be ironed out here, no individual state can fund rail on its own, states should pull resources together and ensure this project come to limelight.
“Private sector, who will fund the project are there, but they want to see commitments and political will from the governors, we have already drafted routes, the feasibility study which is the bankable documents might be the only thing the states will sponsor.”
He however, said the objectives of the gathering were to extract state representatives’ commitment towards setting up the rail development, have operating and regulatory body for the region, and design structure and funding model for the above-mentioned body.
Others are to design roadmap for construction of railway infrastructure, enunciate propositions on viable routes and highlight path to private sector for development institution finance.
Sesan Oyedele, the Osun State Commissioner for Transportation, described the project as achievable if governors from the states were committed to it and would take responsibility.
He said Osun State was ready if other states were ready for the project.
