The construction of the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Rail Gauge has started fully as the challenges of underground pipelines and cables have been resolved.

According to Nigerian Railway Corporation, work has started on the laying of standard rail gauge from the Lagos axis.

Its Lagos District Manager, Jerry Oche, said the project had been concentrated outside Lagos as a result of the underground cables and pipelines challenges in the city.

According to Oche, water pipelines, cables and other installations underground of public utilities have posed great challenge to the execution of the work in Lagos.

The NRC district manager said that some of the railway staff quarters were also affected by the construction.

He said the corporation had paid the affected staff members a year’s accommodation rent to secure alternative accommodations pending when the new quarters constructed for them would be completed.

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi had recently said that laying of tracks of the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge line would start as soon as the issue of installations of public utilities were resolved.

Amaechi made the assertion at the on-spot assessment of the progress of work at Papalanto in Ogun.

According to him, contractor in charge of the project will start laying of tracks in Lagos axis as soon as the issues of cables and the pipelines are resolved.

“I am satisfied with the rate at which the project is going, and I know the project will be delivered in due course.

“Laying of tracks will start in Lagos soon, all what the engineers are doing now is to ensure proper channels before the laying of the tracks,” he said.