Thread by @toluogunlesi

Happening right now. You know the drill 😊. A ride on #LagosIbadanRail.

The Mobolaji Johnson Station, Ebute Metta, Lagos - being completed. #LagosIbadanRail

Another view. Mobolaji Johnson Station, Ebute Metta, Lagos #LagosIbadanRail

I think this is the first time I’m on the #LagosIbadanRail train leaving from Ebute Metta. My previous participations in this tour have taken off from Agege.

I entered the usual Lagos traffic to get here, had to finish the last leg of my journey by bike sef. So it’s great to now be in a ‘vehicle’ cruising through the city, immune from clogged roads... #LagosIbadanRail

Ikeja
#LagosIbadanRail

Babatunde Raji Fashola Station, Agege, Lagos #LagosIbadanRail @tundefashola

“Amaechi!!!” 😀 @ChibuikeAmaechi #LagosIbadanRail

At Agege, security men had to clear traders from near the tracks. A lot of work will have to go into sensitizing Nigerians about the wisdom of staying away from functioning rail tracks. This is part of why train speed is slow - you don’t know what obstructions lie ahead.

Admonishing the traders to stay away from the rail tracks. “We have heard Sir, thank you,” they reply.

But have they really heard? 😀

#LagosIbadanRail

You can see the old narrow gauge rail track running alongside the new standard gauge rail. Eventually they’ll part ways, somewhere outside Lagos.

Oluyemi Osinbajo Station, Kajola, Ogun State #LagosIbadanRail

Kajola
#LagosIbadanRail

Lateef Kayode Jakande (LKJ) Station, Agbado, Lagos #LagosIbadanRail

Brand new Coaches and Locos at Papalanto. I lost count.
#LagosIbadanRail

Wole Soyinka Station, Abeokuta
#LagosIbadanRail

View from the ‘balcony’ of the Wole Soyinka Station, Abeokuta, Ogun State #LagosIbadanRail

The train we’re riding in is a DMU - Diesel Multiple Unit - self-propelled carriages.

DMUs are in use all over the world: Canada, US, Japan, Europe etc.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_mu…

Olusegun Osoba Station, Olodo, Ogun State #LagosIbadanRail

Rolling into Samuel Ladoke Akintola Station, Omi Adio, Oyo State — the penultimate station on #LagosIbadanRail.

After this is the Obafemi Awolowo Station in Ibadan.

Spotted these floor tiles awaiting installation at the Omi Adio Station - Made in Nigeria 🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬 - In my hometown, Sagamu, Ogun State, to be precise!
#MadeInNigeria #LagosIbadanRail

Samuel Ladoke Akintola Station, Omi Adio, Oyo State
#LagosIbadanRail

Inside our carriage. I’m guessing these leather seat ones will be the First or Business Class Cabins when commercial operations kick off. #LagosIbadanRail

We’re now on our way to Ibadan - the final Station on #LagosIbadanRail, in Olorisa-Oko Village, near Moniya, Ibadan.

We’ve stopped at every Station on the Line so far. HM @ChibuikeAmaechi inspecting the work and questioning the contractors, and pushing them to work faster. He’s not happy with the level of work at some Stations (btw some are well ahead of others).

UPDATE: The tracks are going to be fenced all the way; fencing work has started in the Lagos corridor. #LagosIbadanRail

Signalling + Communications #LagosIbadanRail

Obafemi Awolowo Station, Ibadan, Oyo State
#LagosIbadanRail

Obafemi Awolowo Station, Ibadan
#LagosIbadanRail

Olufunmilayo Ransome-Kuti Station, Papalanto, Ogun State
#LagosIbadanRail

HM @ChibuikeAmaechi on TIMELINE for Stations’ completion:

End of Sept: 3 minor Stations will be ready

End Oct: All 6 minor Stations ready

End-Dec: All major Stations completed

Covid disruptions have affected number of Engineers on site. More Engineers arriving on site soon.

NRC MD, Engr. Fidet Okhiria: We’re discussing with the contractors on when we can start operations on #LagosIbadanRail. We fixed a date before, hoping to start, but a few challenges came up.

HM CRA: My expectation is different from the Project Workplan. I’m a politician, I want the work to finish as soon as possible. I can say I want it finished by Tuesday, but the Workplan says Friday. If they don’t finish by Tuesday, they’re not behind schedule. #LagosIbadanRail

We’ve come to the end of the Tour, in Ibadan. Now heading back to Lagos. #LagosIbadanRail

One for the road - make that ‘rail’.

Various stations on the #LagosIbadanRail Line