Nigerian government currently led by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, today launched a railway project to link the port of Lagos to the city of Ibadan by 2019.

According to Ceoafrica, a Chinese loan is funding the 100km (62-mile) rail link and the track is being built by the China Railway Construction Corporation and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation.

There is an existing rail link between Lagos and Ibadan, but it was built during the colonial era and does not extend to the port.

The new track will enable high-speed trains to carry cargo and passengers between two of Nigeria’s important commercial centres and it is also hoped that it would ease congestion in Lagos where Lorries have to queue for days to gain entry to the port to collect goods.

Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo was at the opening ceremony in Lagos along with other officials, including the transport minister, Rotimi Amaechi, and head of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mallam Habib Abdulahi.

After its completion, the intention is to then continue the track from Ibadan to Kano in the north and simultaneously, the line will be extended south to Calabar; another important port.