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Lagos blue line rail project now 90% ready – Sanwo-Olu {Photos}
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu says the Lagos Blue line rail is at 90 percent completion, assuring that the project would be delivered in the first quarter of next year.
The governor gave the assurance on Sunday while addressing newsmen at the Marina Train Station after inspection of works on the Blue Line rail project and stations at the National Theatre Iganmu, Orile, Suru Alaba, Mile 2, and Marina axis of the state.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (second right) and the General Manager, Lagos State Transportation Management Authority (LAMATA), Engr. Abimbola Akinajo (right) during an inspection of the Blue Line Rail on Sunday, 24 April 2022.
He said, “This is the first time I am taking you on the blue line to see where we are. The first phase of the Blue line rail project starts from Mile 2 and terminates at Marina. Marina Station is an elevated station and it stretches out to outer Marina and terminates where the Governor’s residence is. At the end of the station, you could see that the track is broken into two bridges. The backtrack is for parking”.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the National Theatre Train Station during an inspection of the Blue Line Rail on Sunday, 24 April 2022. Behind him from left: Director, Rail Transport, Mr. Olasunkanmi Okusaga, Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Private Partnership (PPP), Mr. Ope George and Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Federic Oladeinde.
“We are happy that the contractors are working seven days a week. The major aspect apart from the Marina Station is a sea crossing from Eko Bridge to join the outer Marina. They would finish it in about three months. And by the time we will be coming back in July, the concrete construction should have been completed”, Governor Sanwo-olu was quoted as saying in a statement by his media aide, Gboyega Akosile.
The governor, who inspected the project alongside some members of his cabinet, officials of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), and contractors handling the project, explained that the blue line rail would run on electric tracks with Electric Motor Vehicle (EMV), warning Lagosians to keep off the train lines and avoid walking on them.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (middle) uses his cowry card for train boarding while the Director, Rail Transport, Mr. Olasunkanmi Okusaga watches during an inspection of the Blue Line Rail on Sunday, 24 April 2022.
He further disclosed that the government will also acquire two sets of four train coaches from China between September and October.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, also assured that there would be adequate security at every train station and platform with the use of CCTV.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu boarding the train while the General Manager, Lagos State Transportation Management Authority (LAMATA), Engr. Abimbola Akinajo (left) watches during an inspection of the Blue Line Rail on Sunday, 24 April 2022.
The governor condemned the level of vandalism along the rail corridors and warned perpetrators to desist from such acts. According to Sanwo-Olu, the government would go after companies that buy vandalised rail tracks, assuring that the culprits will also be traced and prosecuted accordingly.