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Nigerian Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi said that over 20,000 workers had participated in the construction of the 156-km-long Lagos-Ibadan rail project.

The minister made the remarks at a public hearing in Abuja on Monday. He noted as well the railway contract agreement, between Nigerian government and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, was compliant with the local content law, addressing concerns raised by a government committee.

“We have over 150 Nigerians being trained as engineers in China. The Chinese have also built two training institutions for us, one at Idu and the other one is the Transportation University in Daura, Katsina State,” he added.

The minister added that most materials for the project are locally sourced, bringing new job opportunities for the country’s residents.

Yakubu Adogie, a liaison officer of the Lagos-Ibadan project told Xinhua earlier that the railway is expected to be put into operation this year. It will reduce the travel time between the two cities to less than two hours, easing traffic congestion and promoting economic development.