Lagos begins construction of another mass transit rail – red line

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of 37km rail mass transit project called Red Line, expected to move more than one million commuters daily from Agbado to Marina.

According to a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, the ceremony was held at the proposed site of the Ikeja Train Station and was witnessed by Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who was represented by the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr Bashir Jamoh.

He said the rail corridor would be constructed in three phases, stating, “The first phase (Agbado-Iddo), which will be completed in 24 months, will be sharing track with the Federal Government’s Lagos-Ibadan Railway Modernisation Project up to Ebute-Meta.

“It will have its dedicated track from Ebute-Meta to Oyingbo and reduce travel time from about two and a half hours to just 35 minutes.”

The red line to be fully operational in the last quarter of 2022 is a project of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) which would have eight train stations – from Agbado to Oyingbo, the statement added.

The Red Line is to raise mass transportation capacity in the state, complementing the Blue Line that extends from Okokomaiko to Marina, already at 78 per cent completion.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who at the event with Deputy Governor Dr Obafemi Hamzat, also handed cheques to 25 property owners affected  by the projects right-of-way, described the project as another initiative of his administration to deliver enduring infrastructure for the transport system and make Lagos a competitive mega city.

He said the traffic management and transportation pillar in his government’s development blueprint – Project THEMES – was being implemented with the goal to develop an efficient and sustainable transportation model that would improve mobility, promote economic growth and enhance the living conditions of residents.

He said, “Today’s flag-off of the construction of infrastructure for the standard gauge Red Line is another promise kept and it demonstrates, in practical terms, our commitment to achieve the objectives of traffic management and transportation pillar in our development agenda.

“This is because we recognise the role which an efficient transportation system plays in enhancing people’s quality of life and as a major driver of socio-economic development.

“The state’s strategic transport master plan, which encompasses a number of projects that are germane to achieving our vision for a Greater Lagos, is founded on imperatives that seek to increase transport choices for all users and make the transit system integrated, attractive, convenient, affordable and accessible.

“Since efficient transportation is the backbone of any economy, we are happy to be committing this investment in our transport infrastructure, so that our people can meet their daily targets and aspirations. This all-important transport project we are all gathered to witness today represents a major step in this direction.”

Sanwo-Olu said the implementation of the Red Line was being supported under the Differentiated Cash Reserve Requirement programme – a financing package put in place by the state government through the Central Bank Nigeria.

The governor expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari and the CBN Governor, Dr Godwin Emefiele, for supporting the state in the bid to make the project a reality.

He praised also the bankers who facilitated the funding.

To facilitate smooth operations of the Red Line, Sanwo-Olu said the state government would be constructing ancillary infrastructure, including six overpasses at strategic level crossing points along the rail corridor to eliminate interactions between the rail system, vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

The overpasses will provide grade separated crossings that will enhance safety for the rail system and road users, according to him.

Sanwo-Olu said, “The unique characteristics of the Red Line is its integration with the Ikeja Bus Terminal, Oshodi-Abule Egba Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane, the future Orange Line, which goes from Ikeja to Agbowa, and the General Aviation Terminal One of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport through a skywalk.

“Another unique feature of the Red Line is that all the stations have elevated concourses with either at grade island or side platforms for easy boarding and alighting of passengers.

“The Red Line also integrates with our bus terminals at Oyingbo, Yaba, Oshodi, Ikeja and Iju, giving modal options to our people in their daily commute, either for business or leisure.”

Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladehinde, described the Red Line  as a continuation of the implementation of the state’s strategic transport master plan, which made provision for six standard rail lines, one mono rail, 14 BRT corridors and over 20 waterway routes.

He said the intervention was a deliberate effort of the state government and its development partners to make Lagos livable beyond Year 2032.

Managing Director of LAMATA, Mrs Abimbola Akinajo, said the project was a bold step and commitment of the governor to solving transportation challenges in line with his administration’s development blueprints.