Uyo, Calabar, Akamkpa, Ikom, Obudu Cattle Ranch to be linked by Coastal Rail Line

 Baring any hitches, the bidding process may soon begin for the selection of contractors that will construct a new standard gauge coastal rail line to connect ten towns in South South and Aba in the South East.
The modern rail line which will start in Benin will pass through Sapele and Warri in Delta State and vie into the Bayelsa State Capital Yenagoa, then onto Port Harcourt up to neighboring Aba and Uyo in Akwa Ibom and back to Calabar, Akamkpa, Ikom and terminate at the Obudu Ranch Resort.

In a chat with CrossRiverWatch, the Cross River State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Legor Idagbo assured that the project will soon begin. He said: “The project is a federal project. It was originally designed to terminate at Uyo but because of the effort of his excellency, the federal government agreed to extend the project to connect four towns in Cross River State.
“I know for a fact that the feasibility study has been done by the consultant. The environmental impact assessment is being done at the moment and immediately after that, they will be the bidding for competent contractors. The Chinese have indicated very serious interest. I know that CCECC have spoken to me several times about it and about their readiness to bring it their expertise.
He expressed hope that the project which is expected to be completed within seven months from commencement will change the fortunes of Cross River state and the northern part of the state in particular.
“The project will transform the economy of the northern part of the state. It will revamp the traffic to Obudu Ranch resort. It is one of the wonderful things that will happen in our lifetime.”
According to information on the website of the project consultant who is doing the assessment, Canadian professional firm, CPCS, the objective of the study is to examine the feasibility of New Standard Gauge Coastal Rail line Route – Benin City – Sapele – Warri – Yenegoa –Port Harcourt – Aba – Uyo – Calabar – Akampa – Ikom – Obudu Cattle Ranch (673km) with a completion period of Seven Months.
“The consultancy is intended to establish the technical, economic, and financial viability of implementing the identified project as PPP project, through the generation of an Outline Business Case (OBC) in accordance with
Nigeria’s National PPP policy. The consultancy also involves carrying out preliminary and final engineering designs of the selected alignment.
CPCS is currently carrying out:
• The feasibility of the project and generate an Outline Business Case (OBC) document in accordance Nigerian National PPP Policy
• Proposal for alignment and connections to urban and commercial settlements along the proposed route
• Preliminary survey and design of the selected alignment
• Potential train stations, workshops and other rail-based infrastructure and incorporate same in the design
• Preliminary Engineering Designs
• Bill of Quantities (BOQ) and the tender documents for the contract award
• Environmental and social impact screening/scoping study
CPCS is a Canadian-based professional services firm that has been providing specialized infrastructure development advice to public and private sector clients since 1969; Specializing in mobilizing private investment in public infrastructure and services.