Public Transport: Lagos Blue Line rail project at 90 percent completion, says Sanwo-Olu

*Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State says construction works on both the Blue and Red lines intra-city rail projects are at 90 percent completion towards strengthening the intermodal transportation system in the state

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

The Lagos State Government has assured the residents that it is on track in its efforts at  completing construction works on both the Blue and Red lines rail projects, which are intra-city, in order to strengthen the intermodal transportation system in the state.

ConsumerConnect reports Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State stated this in a media chat Sunday, April 24 while inspecting the project.

The Governor disclosed that work on the Blue Line rail project was at 90 percent completion as contractors have continued to work seven days a week so that Lagosians would ride a train on the rail by the first quarter of 2023.

Speaking to reporters at the Marina Train Station after about three hours of inspection of ongoing works on the Blue Line rail project and stations at the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Orile, Suru Alaba, Mile 2 and Marina axis of the cosmopolitan state.

Sanwo-Olu, who inspected the Blue line rail project alongside some of his cabinet members, top officials of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and contractors handling the project, then moved from the National Arts Theatre rail station on a construction track to Orile Iganmu, Alaba and Mile 2 stations to inspect the four train stations on the Blue line rail project.

The blue line rail, he stated, will be running on electric tracks with Electric Motor Vehicle (EMV), and therefore, warned citizens to keep off the train lines and ensure they don’t walk on it.

After riding back to the National Arts Theatre station on a construction track also inspected a new four-coach train, Sanwo-Olu also noted that it is a typical train that will be used on the blue line.

He also disclosed the Lagos State Government’s plan to bringing additional two sets of four-train coaches from China between September and October, adding that adequate security would be put in place at every train station and platform with the use of CCTV.

The Governor further stated: “This is the first time I am taking you on the blue line to see where we are. The first phase of the Blue line rail project starts from Mile 2 and terminates at Marina.

“Marina Station is an elevated station and it stretches out to outer Marina and terminates where the Governor’s residence is.

“At the end of the station, you could see that the track is broken into two bridges. The backtrack is for parking.”

Sanwo-Olu said: “We are happy that the contractors are working seven days a week. The major aspect apart from the Marina Station is a sea crossing from Eko Bridge to join the outer Marina.

“They would finish it in about three months. And by the time we will be coming back in July, the concrete construction should have been completed.”

He, nonetheless, frowned on the rate of vandalism along the rail corridors, and warned perpetrators to desist from such evil acts.

The Lagos State Government will go after companies that purchased vandalised rail tracks infrastructure, he stated, adding that culprits will be traced and made to face the wrath of the law.

Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu Sunday issued a three-day ultimatum to traders under the Apogbon Bridge, on Lagos Island, to vacate or risk demolition of the space by Wednesday April 27.

He gave the charge while driving on the bridge during his inspection of the blue line rail project, as he realised that traders were back under the bridge with their goods displayed after they were driven away in the aftermath of the fire outbreak under the Apogbon bridge about six weeks ago.

The governor, who also condemned the unlawful return of the traders under Apongbon Bridge, said the enforcement team would be deployed to the bridge after the three days ultimatum issued.

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