Nigerian Newsday

The Federal government has assured that the private sector is playing a key role in the realization of its railway modernization plan which is aimed at fast tracking the transportation system in the country.

The Project Director of the Railway Development Office (RDO), Mr. Seyi Sijuade said the outfit-(RDO) was purposely set up by the government to represent its interest in the project and also to ensure that consultants and contractors of the projects deliver on the agreed terms.

Sijuade said the modernization project was strategic to the nation’s development and that it was important to get the private sector involved as the engine of growth.

He however noted that the extent of private sector participation (PSP) in the project would depend on the interest of the government.

According to him, the RDO had established management procedures, communication channels and project execution plans to monitor the spate of work so as to fulfill its mandate.

Sijuade expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Chinese contractors handling the construction of the over 1,300 kilometre Lagos-Kano standard gauge rail line.

He said "so far, the Chinese contractors have completed aerial survey of the entire line and have commenced ground survey which involves transposing the data gathered from the aerial survey to permanent benchmarks on the ground".

According to him, "over 100 surveyors are on ground covering the entire line, establishing temporary and permanent benchmarks along the route".

He noted that RDO has completed the review of the main design and the technical specifications for the project and had also given approval in principle.

"Soon, the design work will commence and would be completed in about nine months". Sijuade further assured that by the completion of the first phase of the modernization in 2011, Nigerians will witness a development which would transform their lives dramatically and hasten the nation’s urbanization process.