Lagos State governor, Southwest, Nigeria, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has performed the groundbreaking for the construction of the 37-km Rail Mass Transit Red Line, which will traverse from Agbado to Marina, moving more than one million commuters daily.
He said the rail corridor would be constructed in three phases.
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Sanwo-Olu noted that the first phase (Agbado-Iddo), will be sharing a track with the Federal Government’s Lagos-Ibadan Railway Modernisation Project up to Ebute – Metta, will be completed in 24 months, saying it would have its dedicated track from Ebute- Metta to Oyingbo and reduce travel time from about two and a half hours to just 35 minutes, with 500- passenger daily capacity.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place at the proposed site of the Ikeja Train Station and was witnessed by the Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, who was represented by the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Bashir Jamoh, among others.
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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.
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“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.
“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.”
Sanwo-Olu also 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, just as he also lauded the bankers who facilitated the funding.
© ControlTV 2021.
