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• President declares legacy project open
• 250,000 passengers to commute daily
The historic Lagos Red Rail Line kick-started yesterday after its inauguration by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Two hundred and fifty thousand passengers can be transported aboard coaches on the Rail Line through the route from Oyingbo to Agbado.
A trip which usually takes two or three hours on the road will be one hour less.
The Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration which started the project mid-2021 said it would extend the route to Abeokuta in collaboration with the Ogun State Government.
This is the first phase of the Red Line.
The contract papers for the second phase, which will take off from Oyingbo to link the Blue Line, which started operation last year in Marina, were signed at yesterday’s event.
An elated President Tinubu, who initiated the idea when he was governor of Lagos State, more than 20 years ago, urged other governors to emulate Sanwo-Olu by easing transportation challenges in their states.
The President said: “I am pleased to declare to you that the momentum of greatness we kick-started a quarter of a century ago has become an unstoppable entity.
“It is not a crime to dream and dream big. Just stay focused and stay on course, particularly if your central focus is the people.”
The President lauded the Lagos State Transport Management Agency(LAMATA) for demonstrating that good causes can succeed if pushed for with determination.
Tinubu, who said he would be looking out for the completion of the second phases of the Blue and the Red Rail Lines, added that the provision of an alternative transportation system would open the state’s economic potential more.
“All I see are job opportunities for our people,” the President added.
Governor Sanwo-Olu described the project as “a culmination of a long and painstaking journey of reforming the transportation sector in Lagos State.’’
He said: “I am proud to say that Lagos State has a Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP) that outlines what that integrated rail system should look like six rail lines, one monorail, 14 BRT corridors, over 20 water routes, and a vast network of major and inner roads.
“Today(yesterday), we mark a historic milestone in the annals of Lagos State and indeed, our nation, with the inauguration of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line – a 37-kilometre marvel of modern engineering that stretches from Agbado in Ogun State to the iconic National Theatre in Iganmu.
“The segment we are inaugurating spans an impressive 37 kilometres from Agbado to Oyingbo, featuring state-of-the-art stations at Agbado, Iju, Agege, Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba, and Oyingbo.
“We started construction in mid-2021, and I am happy that our administration has been able to complete it.
“As part of the project, we have also completed the construction of five over-passes strategically located at Pen Cinema (Agege), Mushin, Ikeja, Oyingbo, and Yaba, all ingeniously designed to ensure the flow of vehicular traffic, undisturbed by the rail infrastructure.
“At full capacity, this first phase will transport 250,000 passengers daily, which will grow to 750,000 passengers daily when we have the full complement of rolling stock on the line.”
Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat also praised the uncommon zeal of President Tinubu, who as governor of the state, laid the foundation of the many landmark and legacy projects in the state.
Hamzat said the Red Line symbolises the real meaning of democracy where developments are people-focused.
Transportation Minister Saidu Alkali commended Sanwo-Olu for collaborating with his ministry in the execution of the rail projects.
He described the Red Rail Line as a testament to the determination of the ministry to transform Nigeria’s transportation landscape.
“This railway infrastructure is a shining example of what is possible when the federal and the state governments have a shared vision for progress,” Alkali said.
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun, said China remained a committed partner of Nigeria in the task of making government work for the people.
Jianchun, who lauded Tinubu for his commitment to alleviating the sufferings of Nigerians, promised that China would be willing to further assist Nigeria in the areas of technology and infrastructural development.
The Ambassador thanked Sanwo-Olu for reposing confidence in the Chinese corporation handling the project, adding that everything possible would be done to ensure the completion within the proposed time
Highpoint of the inauguration was the signing of the second phase of the project, by LAMATA Managing Director Abimbola Akinajo and CCECC Worldwide Chairman, Liu Weimin..
Chairman of Nigeria’s Governors Forum(NGF) AbdulRahman AbdulRazak of Kwara State; Governors Dapo Abiodun(Ogun) , Biodun Oyebanji(Ekiti) , Hope Uzodimma(Imo), Usman Ododo(Kogi) and Babagana Zulum(Borno) accompanied the President to the inauguration.
At the event were also key economic players like Eleganza Group of Companies Founder Razak Akanni Okoya; Group General Manager, United Bank for Africa Oliver Alauba and President of the Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and Industries Abimbola Olasore.
Chairman of the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council (GAC) Alhaji Tajudeen Olusi, former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and former Deputy Governors Femi Pedro, Abiodun Ogunleye, Adebisi Sosan, Adejoke Adefulire and Oluranti Adebule, who is the senator representing Lagos West, were present.
Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Ghana Musiliu Obanikoro, Senator Adesegun Ogunlewe, House of Representatives member Abiodun Faleke, and a host of traditional rulers, led by the Oba of Lagos Oba Rilwan Akiolu, who was represented by the White Cap Chiefs, led by the Opeluwa Onido, High Chief Lateef Ajose ,were among those in attendance.
Commissioner for Transportation Oluwaseun Osiyemi; members of the House of Assembly, led by Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, and Justice Titi Ipaye, who represented Chief Judge of the state Justice Kazeem Alogba, also attended the inauguration, which was done at the Ikeja station.
Credit: The Nation
