NRC to pull down more houses for modern train stations

Houses pencilled down for demolition between Ebute Metta to Agege for the expansion of the Lagos-Ibadan Standard gauge line would be pulled down anytime soon,  investigation has revealed.

It was gathered that about 150 houses occupied by staff of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), are also affected by the impending exercise. This also includes the railway district headquarters at Ebute Metta, in the Yaba area of Lagos.

Between Ebute Metta and Agege no fewer than 200 houses occupying the right of way of the new rail line are being pulled down. At the district head office, an international train station is coming to replace the decrepit structure being presently used as the district head office. Similar ultra modern stations are being pencilled down for Oshodi, Ikeja, Agege, Agbado and Ijoko stations, where the decrepit structures housing the narrow gauge train stations had once stood.

It was gathered that some Agege residents gathered on Thursday to discuss the impending demolition.

The proposed Agege rail station it was gathered is a mere 20 metres away from the ongoing Agege Flyover Bridge, being constructed by the Lagos State Government.

A very reliable source at the Nigerian Railway Corporation’s Headquarters in Oyingbo, who does not want to be mentioned, said already, NRC workers affected by the exercise have been given a three months deadline to relocate in order not to affect the contractor’s work flow.

Also, the Federal Ministry of Transportation is said to be paying full compensation to owners of all affected structures along the project’s right of way, in order to reduce the pains of those whose only source of livelihood are being affected in the exercise.

“The Federal Government has ensured that full compensation was paid directly to those whose houses were being pulled down. This is to reduce the pain and assuage for the loss of their sources of livelihood, while staffs affected by the demolition have been told to look out for alternative accommodations,” the source said.

The source added that Nigerians would come to appreciate the beautiful stations that would replace these old edifices once they spring up at the designated railway stations.

The source also spoke about the influx of illegal traders on the rail tracks at Oyingbo, following their eviction from the market by the state government.

“Now, the NRC is at a dilemma whether to chase these illegal squatters away from the rail lines, which they presently occupy knowing that their trading activity puts food on their table on a daily basis around that axis.

“If we chase them away, just like the Lagos State Government did, would it not be seen as an act of wickedness? Yet, we must ensure they do not encroach on the rail tracks as that is a highway to suicide,” he further added.

 

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