21st December, 2022
*As governor test-run project
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has test-run the completed phase one of the Lagos Blue Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) scheme (Marina-Mile 2).
The test run moved from the National Theatre Station in Iganmu to Marina and back.
An elated Sanwo-Olu said the feat was a promise kept, saying that the test-run was to commemorate the completion of the project construction.
He said the milestone in the development of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) was the culmination of several impactful reforms in the transport ecosystem of Lagos State, starting in 1999, the dawn of the fourth Republic, when former governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu assumed office as the democratically-elected Governor of Lagos State.
“The Lagos that Asiwaju inherited was very different from the Lagos we know today. It was a struggling metropolis, burdened by many challenges, ranging from waste management to deficiencies in critical infrastructure to rampant insecurity and a demoralized public service.
“Asiwaju wasted no time getting down to work, to develop the masterplan and roadmap that have consistently guided the development of the State since then. Among the many components of Asiwaju’s vision for a Greater Lagos, is the Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP), which laid out the foundation for a network of robust and modern transport infrastructure befitting the 21st century: six rail lines and one monorail, 14 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors, over 20 water routes and a number of major new roads.
“Central to the implementation of the Transport Masterplan is the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), established by Asiwaju in 2002. Over the last two decades, that masterplan has been faithfully implemented by successive administrations, and LAMATA has grown from strength to strength.
“The completion of the infrastructure for the first phase of the Blue Line rail is a strong testimony of our commitment to building on the legacies of past administrations, and the pioneering vision of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The first phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line stretches from Marina to Mile 2, covering five Stations and a 13-kilometre stretch, out of the total of 27km that is the entire Blue Line, and which will run from Marina to Okokomaiko. The line will be powered by electricity to be supplied from a standalone Independent Power Plant,” he explained.
According to Sanwo-Olu, the Blue Line, no doubt, has had an interesting history, with many delays in the completion, which were not due to a lack of enthusiasm or commitment on the part of the Lagos State Government. project, for our people.
Coincidentally, he said this location, in the Marina, was central to the state’s integrated multimodal transport system, being a melting pot for all the transportation modes.
“I am happy to announce that we will be developing Marina into an integrated transport interchange, with the support of the French Development Agency (AFD). I am also happy to inform you that the three train sets for the commercial passenger operations for the Blue Line are already on ground. We will shortly be riding in one,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu thanked former governor, Babatunde Fashola, during whose administration the foundation for the Blue Line was laid in 2010.
“Let it go on record that within the resources available to him, His Excellency Mr. Fashola was able to complete the first four stations at Mile 2, Suru Alaba, Orile Iganmu and National Theatre, as well as commence work on the elevated section of the tracks up to Ijora,” he said.
Managing Director, LAMATA, Engr. Abimbola Akinajo, said the implementation of the project continued slowly until Sanwo-Olu mounted the saddle and metaphorically breathe a new breath of life in the rail project.
“He sees transportation as one giant component for any economy to thrive, hence it is the first pillar of the THEMES development agenda for Lagos. This speaks to the importance this administration places on Traffic Management and Transportation.
‘To bring the Blue Line, a 27-kilometre rail route from Marina to Okokomaiko, to its present stage, our dear Mr. Governor, had to use a window of funding by the Central Bank of Nigeria, which pooled three banks – Access Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc and and Sterling Bank Plc – together to fund the completion of infrastructure for the first phase, which is about 13-kilometre of the 27-kilometre stretch.
“I wish to place on record that the construction of the Blue line has been one of the most challenging projects the Lagos State Government has ever embarked upon given the many issues we have had to overcome. To get to this point, we have had disturbances and delays in the relocation of submarine cables, submarine natural gas pipelines, and removal of underwater ship wreckages.
“The submarine geological conditions are complex, thus making construction in the lagoon extremely difficult. On a number of times, barges have collided with the trestle supporting our construction activities while the outbreak of Covid-19 epidemic, and the long transportation cycle of imported equipment and materials have contributed to delays in the prompt completion of the rail project,” she explained.
Akinajo said in LAMATA’s projection, this phase of the rail project would move no less than 250,000 passengers daily, while the entire line when completed would move more than 500,000 passengers.
“This will translate to a huge reduction in greenhouse gas emission. Besides, this rail system is powered by electricity, which again shows our sensitivity to protecting our environment and the future of our state. The rail system would provide thousands of direct and indirect jobs for our teeming youths as well as training to equip them to work in the rail industry,” she added.