Railway
Tinubu inaugurates Lagos Red Rail Line, says Nigerians deserve access to multiple transport modes
Tinubu inaugurates Lagos Red Rail Line, says Nigerians deserve access to multiple transport modes
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday inaugurated the Red Rail Line in Lagos with a declaration that Nigerians deserve access to efficient multiple modes of transportation.
The 37km intra-state rail line is the second rail projects to be inaugurated by the Lagos State Government in less than one year. The first, Lagos Blue Rail Line, was commissioned by former President Muhammadu Buhari in the twilight of his administration last year.
Tinubu, speaking at the inauguration on Thursday, said, “Nigerians must be able to enjoy access to multiple alternative modes of transportation all of which are safe, efficient and affordable.
“The nation’s transportation minister is here. It is very critical for your ministry to collaborate further with subnational government, to help build a Nigeria for the greatest number of people.”
How it started
He recalled how the railway project started while he was Lagos State governor.
He said, “Twenty-five years ago, I was elected to lead Nigeria’s most populous state, the smallest in land mass, when all that existed here was suppressed and aborted potential and when the dream began, my team and I toiled day and night to craft and implement a developmental vision that would transform Lagos into the economic power house of Africa and a respected mega city on a global state. We are releasing that dream.
“I’m pleased to declare to you that the moment of greatness we kick-started a quarter of century ago has since become unstoppable.”
The President reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving the nation’s infrastructural development.
No going back on reforms
He also said there was no going back on the reforms embarked upon by his government.
“This reform that is ongoing, we are not looking back; the engineering, the construction, the affirmation of our pledge to be loyal to our country. One thing I know is that there is a very bright light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.
Battle with corruption
President Tinubu also spoke on his government’s battle with corruption, admitting that while the administration was making efforts to fight corruption, the scourge would fight back.
He said, “We said we can do it, you believed in us. We said the people’s lives will end up being better, you believed in us. I could hear a lot of voices right now, I asked for this job, I cannot complain, it’s all about democracy.
“I agree smugglers will fight back, corruption will fight back. We will fight them to ruin. Corruption will go away, save the money for you to educate our children, to pay for the healthcare system of our people, to pay for the modern transportation system that works for highest number of people, not those few smugglers.”
He commended Governor of Lagos State Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the giant strides.
“As we inaugurate the first phase of the Red Line, we cannot afford to rest on our oars. Work still needs to be done at national and subnational level. No room for complacency. I look forward to the completion of the other phases.
“I perceive massive economic opportunities coming out of this.
“I am assuring that Nigeria will be out of economic problems, we just need to persevere, work hard,” the President said.
Sanwo-Olu: A new developmental pace
Governor Sanwo-Olu in his speech said the Lagos Red Line was not just about improving the city’s mobility, but reshaping the urban landscape and setting a new pace for development.
“We’re opening doors to opportunities, growth, and a sustainable future,” said the governor.
Railway
Nigeria gets $350m AfDB facility for Kano-Maradi rail project
Nigeria gets $350m AfDB facility for Kano-Maradi rail project
The Federal Government of Nigeria has secured $350 million from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to fund the construction of the Kano-Maradi rail project, which will connect Kano to Maradi in Niger Republic.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Land Transport, Senator Adamu Aliero, made this disclosure on Monday during an oversight visit to the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) headquarters in Lagos, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Aliero stated that the Kano-Maradi rail project is part of the government’s broader efforts to modernize Nigeria’s railway network and enhance regional trade links.
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“The Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport, Sen. Adamu Aliero, says the African Development Bank has released $350 million to the Federal Government for construction of a rail line from Kano to Maradi,” the NAN report read in part.
He also highlighted that President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to China focused on finalizing negotiations for 85% of the financing needed to upgrade and rehabilitate the nation’s rail infrastructure.
Aliero disclosed that the supplementary budget recently passed by the National Assembly allocated over N530 billion as counterpart funding for these modernization efforts. The remaining 85% of the funds will be sourced from institutions such as China Exim Bank, the International Finance Corporation, and AfDB.
Nigeria gets $350m AfDB facility for Kano-Maradi rail project
Railway
Lagos Blue Rail: LAMATA speaks on fire incident
Lagos Blue Rail: LAMATA speaks on fire incident
The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has reacted to a fire incident affecting a section of the Blue Rail Line that occurred in the Apangbon area of the state on Saturday.
A statement issued by the Head of Corporate Communication at LAMATA, Kolawole Ojelabi, attributed the incident to a spark, leading to a disruption in the passengers operations of the line.
The statement read, “The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) is aware of a spark, inducing fire, at a section of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) near the old NEPA station by Eko Bridge around Apongbon area of Lagos Island.
“As a result, passenger operations of the Blue Line were disrupted.
“Following the spark, the system isolated the section for investigators and engineers from the Independent Power Plant powering the train to trace the source of the fire.
“The Closed-Circuit camera along the section promptly alerted emergency staff who triggered the emergency response process.
“No passengers on the train and workers were in danger following the fire incident.
“Engineers are working profusely to replace the burnt cables, and it is projected that train operation will resume Sunday morning.
“LAMATA is committed to ensuring the safe operation of the Blue Line, the first rail system to be powered by electricity in West Africa.”
Railway
Fire guts part of Lagos Blue Rail Line
Fire guts part of Lagos Blue Rail Line
There was a fire outbreak on Saturday that affected a section of the Lagos Blue Line rail track near the NEPA Station in the Apogbon area of Lagos State.
Gboyega Akosile, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, confirmed the incident via his X handle.
The fire, which occurred at 4:12pm, did not result in any casualties, and no trains were in operation when the outbreak occurred.
Akosile further disclosed that emergency responders promptly extinguished the fire and put the situation under control.
The statement read in part, “No casualty is reported and no train service at the time of the incident.
“A team of safety and emergency personnel and other first responders had completely put out the fire.
“Lagosians in that axis can go about their business peacefully as the situation under control.
“Kindly await further details on operations of the train from @Lamataonline.”
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