Historic as NRC grants operational licences to Lagos Blue, Red lines

A historic moment was recorded in the country on Friday as the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) granted the Lagos State Government operational licences to run its two completed mass transit rail lines, the Blue and Red lines.

Managing Director of the NRC Engr. Fidet Okhiria, said it was the first time since the Nigerian railway came into being in 1912 that another entity would operate train services in the country.

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) said in a statement via its official X (formerly Twitter) account that the NRC granted a three-year operational licence to the Blue Line and a six-month temporary licence to the Red Line.

The licences were officially handed over by the NRC MD, Okhiria, to Engr. Abimbola Akinajo, managing director of LAMATA, on behalf of the Lagos State Government.

LAMATA stated, “A significant milestone in Nigerian railway transportation has been recorded by the Lagos State Government as the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) issued operational licences for Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue and Red Lines.”

It added, “The NRC granted a three-year operational licence for the Blue Line and a temporary six-month licence for the Red Line.“

The statement noted that the licences were issued following nearly three years of assessment of the Blue Line’s infrastructure and operations, along with testing the pre-operational capacity of the Red Line.

This is coming days before passenger operations will commence on the state’s 27km first phase, from Oyingbo to Agbado, on October 15, with permanent approval pending further assessments.

Okhiria commended LAMATA’s efforts in making the mass rail transit projects a reality.

He expressed confidence in the company’s ability to drive the project to success.

Abuja light train moved 250,000 passengers in 100 days – CCECC

The Abuja Light Rail system moved over 250,000 passengers in over 100 days since commercial passenger operations commenced.

An official of the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), John Zhao, disclosed this in a post on X Friday.

The rail system featuring two lines with a total length of 45km was developed and is currently operated CCECC.

According to Zhao, the rail network consists of 12 stations, connecting key areas such as the Abuja city centre, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the main railway line, and Kubwa satellite town.

“During its operation, over 250,000 passengers have already been served,” he stated.

“The Phase I of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit by CCECC has been operating safely for over 100 days.

“Consisting of 2 lines with a total length of 45 km and 12 stations, the maximum operating speed of the trains can reach 100 km/h.

“It connects Abuja city centre, the international airport, rail line, and Kubwa satellite town.”

The post further noted that since the Abuja light rail commenced passenger operations, it had significantly reduced traffic jam in the Federal Capital City.

In May 2024, passenger operations were launched on Phase 1 of the rail line, with CCECC currently operating the line.

President Bola Tinubu introduced a two-month free ride service, which was later extended to the end of 2024, significantly boosting public interest and use of the rail system.

The Abuja Rail Mass Transit, constructed by China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) and inaugurated in 2018 during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, had faced delay in fully commencing operations due to a lack of essential infrastructure, including access roads.

The challenges, along with disruptions caused by the COVID-19 lockdown, led to the project being temporarily halted. To address these issues, several budget allocations were made.

In August 2023, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) awarded a N5 billion contract to CCECC for the rehabilitation of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit.

Further rehabilitation efforts continued with N29 billion allocated in the 2024 Federal Capital Territory statutory budget to support the project.

The original construction of the project cost $823 million.

Lagos, Chinese firm sign MoU for Lekki-Ajah-VI rail construction 

Lagos State Government is set to commence the construction of the Green Rail Line linking Victoria Island, Lekki and Ajah.

The state government, Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of the Green Line Rail.

The MoU, witnessed by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Olawale Edun, and key officials, was signed during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, China.

This partnership will see MOFI and CHEC provide the financing, design, operation, and maintenance of the Green Line, which will complement the already operational Blue and Red Lines, serving thousands of Lagos residents daily.

Speaking at the event, Governor Sanwo-Olu highlighted the transformative impact of the Green Line Rail, which will link major areas such as Victoria Island, Lekki, and Ajah.

“This historic MoU marks the beginning of an ambitious project that will redefine public transportation in Lagos,” said Sanwo-Olu.

“The Green Line, a 68km rail running from Lekki Free Zone to Marina, will connect with the Blue Line, linking key areas and revolutionizing our transport infrastructure.”

At launch, the rail line is expected to transport over 500,000 passengers daily, with capacity projected to rise to over a million as demand increases. According to the governor, the project aligns with the state’s Strategic Transport Masterplan, which aims to build a fast, efficient, and interconnected transport system.