12th March, 2024
Following the inauguration of the Blue and Red Line Rail lines for commercial operations in the Lagos metropolis, the Lagos State Safety Commission on Tuesday stressed the need to prioritise safety to avert disasters associated with railway systems.
In his address at the railway safety sensitization workshop themed, “Safe By Design: Building a Culture of Railway Safety in Lagos State,” organised by the Lagos State Safety Commission in conjunction with the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) in Gbagada area of the state, the Director General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola emphasised that though rail transportation, remains the most secure and cost-effective mode of travel within the multimodal transportation,9kkm it is not devoid of its own safety considerations.
He said, “Across all facets of the railway system—be it tracks, level crossings, overpasses, underpasses, train cabins or stations—we encounter risks that demand our unwavering attention. These risks include train collisions with pedestrians and vehicles, fire incidents, falls from heights, electrocution, train derailments and entrapments, among others.
“In alignment with the commission’s mandate to preserve lives by preventing accidents, we have convened this workshop to sensitize the public, particularly our host communities, on effective strategies to avoid these hazards and mitigate their impact. Our seasoned railway experts and safety professionals will deliver relevant safety topics, carefully selected to underscore the importance of imbibing a culture of safety within this sector.”
Mojola implored community leaders, local government chairpersons, railway transport operators, and regulators to engage attentively with the presentations at the workshop to be able to further sensitize fellow citizens and collectively ensure safety in railway transportation across the state.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr. Sesan Ogundeko pointed out that the ministry is entrusted with the vital task of ensuring the safety of lives and property across all sectors that drive socio-economic activity in the state.
He said the state government is irrevocably committed to the safety of its citizens, saying, “That’s why, in preparation for the upcoming Red Line Rail and the continued operation of the Blue Line, we’ve organized this crucial railway safety sensitization.
“This workshop serves a critical purpose: to educate the public and commuters about the occupational safety and health risks associated with railway systems. By familiarizing yourselves with the safety protocols at stations, level crossings, and on-board trains, we can cultivate a collective awareness that safeguards everyone.”
The Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA) Engr. Abimbola Akinajo who was represented by the Director, Rail in the agency, Engr. Olasunkanmi Okusaga applauded Lagos State Commission for the sensitization programme.