14th September, 2023
By Aisha Cole
The Federal Government has certified the infrastructure of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) as safe for passenger operations.
Mr. Kolawole Ojelabi, the Consultant, Corporate Communication, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), disclosed this in a statement in Lagos on Thursday.
Ojelabi said that the certification came following a painstaking audit of the rail infrastructure by the Government Inspector of Railways, from the Federal Ministry of Transportation.
The “Safety Certificate for Commercial Operations: Lagos Rail Mass Transit, Blue Line (Marina-Mile 2)” is issued in accordance with sections 50 to 56 of the Nigerian Railway Act, 1955.
The certificate was signed by the Government Inspector of Railway, Mr Abdulrahaman Yusuf.
“I hereby certify the railway safe for commercial operation,” Yusuf said.
He said that the Blue Line began limited passenger operations on September 4 and had since moved about 20,000 passengers.
Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, LAMATA Managing Director, said the certification of the infrastructure of the Blue Line was a validation of the strict supervision regime put in place during the construction of the project.
She said that proper maintenance of the infrastructure and rolling stock would be given priority.
“Rail infrastructure is built to last many generations. We have ensured that the infrastructure built will last more than 100 years,” Akinajo said.
NAN