Work has begun on the Port Harcourt Monorail project introduced by the Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi-led administration in Rivers State. N11 billion has already been released as part of the state government’s equity for the construction of the monorail which is been built under a public private partnership arrangement.

The Rivers’ monorail would be the first of its kind in West Africa.

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja, on Tuesday, Governor Amaechi’s media adviser and publicist Mr David Iyofor, stated that the monorail being developed for mass transportation within the Port Harcourt metropolis would not only decongest the roads in the city, but would also provide a competitive mass transport solution to the city and create job opportunities.

This public private partnership project between the Rivers State government and TSI Holdings Limited has been put at a projected cost of $318 million, with an equity division of 20 per cent to the state government and 80 per cent to TSI Holdings.

Iyofor explained that Governor Amaechi adopted the idea in line with his efforts to decongest traffic in the city and make transportation easily and readily accessible to residents of the State.

He said: “Commuters would surely breathe a sigh of relief at the completion of this project, as it would be reliable in transporting large number of people rapidly and conveniently along special routes aimed at optimal traffic decongestion.

“The first phase of 19.5 km track length is expected to be completed two years from the day of its foundation-laying ceremony performed by President Goodluck Jonathan during his official visit to Rivers State in May.”

The proposed routes for the first phase, according to Iyofor, are “Aggrey Road through Station Road- Azikiwe Road and Aba Road to Water Lines Junction.”

“The proposed kind of train to be used on the Rivers Monorail is the Intamin P30 Monorail Train, an electric driven train designed and most suitable for commuter services in cities as seen in some parts of Europe,” he said.