Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reassured the residents that the state government is on track with its efforts to complete works on both the Blue and Red lines rail projects to strengthen the intermodal transportation system.
He said work on the Blue Line rail project was at 90 per cent completion as contractors were working round-the-clock to deliver the project and have Lagos residents ride a train on the rail by the first quarter of 2023.
The Governor gave the reassurance on Sunday while speaking to reporters at the Marina Train Station after about three hours of inspection of ongoing 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.
Sanwo-Olu, who inspected the Blue line rail project alongside some of his cabinet members, top officials of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and contractors handling the project, moved from the National Arts Theatre rail station on a construction track to Orile Iganmu, Alaba and Mile 2 stations to inspect the four train stations on the Blue line rail.
He said the blue line rail would be running on electric tracks with Electric Motor Vehicle, and therefore warned citizens to keep off the train lines and not walk on it.
After riding back to the National Arts Theatre station on a construction track, the Governor also inspected a new four-coach train, which according to him, is a typical train that would be used on the blue line.
He also disclosed the state government’s plan to bringing additional two sets of four-train coaches from China between September and October, adding that adequate security would be put in place at every train station and platform with the use of CCTV.
“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.
“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”, the Governor said.
While condemning the level of vandalism along the rail corridors, Sanwo-Olu warned perpetrators to desist from such evil acts. He said the government would go after companies that purchased vandalised rail tracks infrastructure, adding that culprits would be traced and made to face the wrath of the law.
Also on Sunday, Governor Sanwo-Olu issued a three-day ultimatum to traders under the Apogbon Bridge in Lagos Island to vacate the area or risk demolition of the space by Wednesday this week.
He gave the warning while driving on the bridge during his inspection of the Blue line rail project and saw that traders were back under the bridge with their goods displayed after they were driven away in the aftermath of the fire outbreak under the Apogbon bridge about six weeks ago.
Sanwo-Olu who frowned at the unlawful return of the traders under Apongbon bridge said the enforcement team would be deployed to the bridge after the three days ultimatum issued.
