The first phase of the 21- kilometre Enugu Monorail Project will cost 246 million dollars, the consultant, Canada-based engineering firm, Globim Corporation, has announced.

    A statement by Chairman of the firm, Dr Jude Igwemezie, in Enugu on Tuesday said the first phase of the project would have six lines.

  It said the project, expected to be completed in three years, would run from Gariki through Agbani Road, Coal Camp, UNTH Road, Ogbete Market, Zik’s Avenue, back to Agbani Road and looping on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

   The statement said the cost would cover building of the infrastructure and acquisition of sufficient trains to ensure viable operations.

   It said that when completed, the train would have a minimum of four cars or coaches and six lines with a total capacity of 500 passengers at a speed of 80 km per hour.

   “This will be the lowest cost of any monorail of similar size and capacity ever built anywhere. In all, the 117 km equivalent single line monorail system in Enugu will cost approximately 1.5 billion dollars.

   “The monorail, which will be electrically powered on a straddle beam, will not depend on Nigeria’s epileptic power supply, as diesel generators strategically located on the lines will power the trains,’’ it said.

   The statement announced that the project would be 100 per cent financed by Globim Corporation, which would deliver the best, safe and most conducive intra-city transportation system.

 The Tide source reports that the project will be executed at no cost to the state government, while Globim will deliver over a concession period of 30 years from the initial opening and operation of the lines.

   The statement quotes the state Commissioner for Transport, Mr John Egbo, as saying that government was satisfied with the expertise of Globim in rail engineering.

   He said: “They have more than 150 years experience in financing, manufacturing, building, managing profitable rail system in America.

“Globim intends to utilise its new TGM-01 train-set designed to provide a combined seating and standing capacity of 550 passengers.”

   Egbo said the train would be air conditioned, while passengers would be able to move from one car to another in the trains.

   He said that each train would be equipped with remote control, while anti-collision devices would be installed in them and tracks “to ensure that no two trains collide”.

   “To ensure passengers’ safety, each car will be equipped with emergency evacuation system should the need arise,’’ he added. 

   Egbo said that no fewer than 500 jobs would be created in the first phase of construction, while 200 permanent jobs would be guaranteed during the first phase of the operations.

   “When all the phases are completed, more than 1,500 permanent jobs will be created. The jobs will translate into future economic impact of three to five times the number of people permanently employed,’’ he added.