By Dipo Olowookere
The Abeokuta train station, for the proposed Lagos/Abeokuta rail project, earlier scheduled to be located at the Trade Fair complex, Laderin, Abeokuta, is to be relocated to the Oba New City, a 6-km distance from the state capital.
Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, disclosed this after an on-the-site visit to the project site, together with the Ogun State Governor, Mr Ibikunle Amosun, and engineers handling the project.
He said the earlier chosen site, was declared unsuitable by the engineers, adding that the new location, which incidentally falls within the proposed new city of the Ogun State government, will enhance the new city development project as well as attract rapid development to the area.
According to him, the initial location will have necessitated the demolition of about 2000 houses, adding that the decision will avert the big loss to residents.
Mr Amosun, in his remarks, restated that the government was not only heeding the advice of the engineers but also avoiding inflicting pain on residents, whose properties will have given way for the project.