The Lagos State Government has held a ceremony to mark the completion of civil infrastructure for the first phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit’s Blue Line.
The ceremony held at the National Theatre in Iganmu, where one of the Stations for the Blue Line which will run from Marina to Okokomaiko is situated, was attended by top officials of the State, financial and construction partners, including the Chinese Consul General in Lagos.
The rail line will run on electricity and a dedicated independent power plant is already being provided alongside the infrastructure.
In his remarks, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu who emphasized that the event was not the unveiling of the project, stated that it was to demonstrate to the good people of Lagos that he had fulfilled his promise to deliver the first phase of the rail project before the end of this year.
Renewing his pledge that the second phase would be completed before May 29 next year, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, would be test running the completed section and cautioned residents against trespassing or attempting to vandalize the electric rail tracks.
In a goodwill message, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa promised that the House would continue to provide the necessary legal backing for the provision and development of more infrastructure.
On his part, the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Fredric Oladeinde described the completion of the initial phase as a confirmation of the Sanwo-Olu’s administration vision to improve the transportation sector.
While welcoming guests to the event, the Managing Director of LAMATA, Mrs Abimbola Akinajo explained that the first phase spans thirteen kilometres of the twenty-seven kilometre stretch with five stations and pointed out that a consortium of financial institution had to be put together by the current administration to provide funding for the completion of the project.
The highlight of the ceremony was a ride on the first of three sets of trains procured for the rail line from the National theatre station to Marina and back to National Theatre by the Governor and some of the guests at the event.
