The Lagos State Governor- Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has assured Lagosians of the commitment of his administration to complete phase one of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit – Blue Line project by the end of the year 2020 and commence the construction of the Red Line rail project in the course of next year.
Governor Sanwo-Olu made the commitment during the flag-off of the last concrete pour for the completion of the 380-metre continuous beam bridge of the sea crossing for the Blue Line project.
“I want to assure Lagosians that our integrated mass transportation initiative is on track. It is also our resolve to track our transport and traffic management issues. So we would appeal to Lagosians to be a bit patient with the government,” he said.
While stating that the rail project would neither be stopped nor delayed, Governor Sanwo-Olu said four other rail lines had been advertised under a Public-Private Participation Model.
The rail lines are the 68-kilometre Green Line from Marina through Victoria Island, Lekki Phases 1 and 2, Ajah, Ogombo, Lekki Airport to Lekki Free Trade Zone, 60-kilometre Purple Line from the Redemption Camp going through Ogba, Iyana Ipaja, Igando and terminate at Ojo, 34-kilometre Yellow Line from Otta through Isheri Osun, Ejigbo Mafoluku, Isolo to national Theatre and 48-kilometre Orange Line from Ikeja coursing through Mile 12, Ikorodu, Alapadi, Eligana, Isiwu, Imota and terminating at Agbowa.
Government funding of the Blue Line, according to him will be the testimonial for investors to see the seriousness of the Lagos State Government to bring about a long-lasting solution to its traffic management initiative.
He assured that the rail lines and other transport initiatives would be implemented in strict adherence to the State Strategic Transport Master Plan.
He announced that the State Government would soon flag off the construction of eight Quality Bus Corridors designed to give dedicated road space and traffic signal priority to public transport buses in order to reduce journey times and improve service consistency.
Mr Sanwo-Olu pledged to make judicious use of “our resources to the benefit of the average Lagosians who daily toil to contribute to the progress of our dear state.”
In her remark, Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, Engr. Mrs Abimbola Akinajo stated that the construction of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line project started in 2009 following the award of the contract by the Lagos State Government for the design and build of the Blue Line rail system, funded through the State’s internally generated revenue.
She disclosed that so far, the Lagos State Government has successfully completed 85% of phases I – IV of the project which entails all civil infrastructure from Mile 2 to Marina.
According to her, the flag-off of the last concrete pour for the completion of the 380-metre continuous beam bridge of the sea crossing for the Blue Line project will bring the project closer to passenger operation for the Mile 2 – Marina part of the project.
She assured the Governor that LAMATA is ready to bring his vision of a robust integrated transportation system in Lagos State to reality.
