Lagos Calabar Coastal Tender

Scope The line will run from Lagos Sagamu Ijebu-Ode Ore Benin City Sapele Warri Yenogoa Port Harcourt Aba Uyo Calabar Akamkpa Obudu Ranch with branch lines from Benin-City to Agbor Ogwashi-ukwu Asaba Onitsha and Onitsha Bridge and from Port Harcourt to Onne Deep Sea Port. The project will be constructed in two phases with the first phase running between Calabar and Port Harcourt while the second phase will run between Port Harcourt and Lagos through Onitsha.The project will include the construction of 1402km of line as well as 22 stations and ancillary facilities administrative space and level crossings. Other works include the installation of safety systems electrical systems lighting systems and signalling systems as well as the laying of tracks and electricity lines.China Civil Engineering Construction Company CCECC was awarded the Lagos-Calabar coastal railway line construction contract. Amaechi revealed that first segment of the rail line will starts from Port Harcourt to Warri to join the central line that goes to Abuja. The segment is projected to be ready within 2 years.According to CCECC the line is to be built to Chinese standards however it will not run at Chinese speeds trains will be limited to 120 kmh. The line will be built by China Railway Construction Corporation a subsidiary of CCECC. It has been working on planning for the route since 2010.Upon completion the proposed coastal railway line in Nigeria will link all sea ports. The project will help to create up to 200000 local jobs during the construction and around 30000 permanent posts once the line is operational.The project is also expected to create business hubs meant for commercial activities. The railway projects have helped solve is the insecurity along interstate roads in the country particularly on the Abuja-Kaduna road.As seen in developed economies adequate transport infrastructure is a catalyst for economic growth and development. Thus the planned coastal railway along with several other ongoing railway projects is a major development based on the potential contributions towards achieving economic development in Nigeria.The government announced in July 2021 that the London-based Standard Chartered Bank had agreed to provide US 11bn in financing for the line after an earlier agreement with the Export-Import Exim Bank of China fell through. The Federal Ministry of Transport signed an agreement with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation CCECC in May 2014 to build the line.