Seeing Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu undertake a tour of some of the train stations along the Agbado-Oyingbo rail corridor otherwise called the Red Line is an eye opener and a dream come true at the same time.
The project which was kick-started by Governor Sanwo-Olu is ready for commissioning by no other person than President Bola Tinubu, who it was that designed the colour of the various train corridors and their colour differentiations in the state during his time as governor (1999-2007).
The railway begins its journey from the northern-most Agbado border town between Ogun State and Lagos weaving through some of the most populous communities in the state including Iju, Ijaiye, Oko-Oba, Agege, Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba/Surulere/Tejuosho, Ebute Metta and Oyingbo near Lagos Island.
During the governorship tour, it was evident that the iconic Ikeja station is ready. This gigantic edifice is roughly a 500-metre walk from the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
This station is also a major transportation hub as it stands directly behind the imposing BRT terminal which also overlooks the Computer Village, Ikeja post office, Jara Mall and the Lagos state University Teaching Hospital. With this, passengers can navigate between the train service and BRT system depending on the route they prefer to ply.
The governor, who was accompanied on the tour of the rail line by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat and other senior government officials also visited the Oshodi, Agege and Tejuosho stations during the inspection.
As observed during the Sunday tour, one of the major impediments to a smooth take off of commercial services are traders and squatters who had privatized portions of the Pen cinema, Agege pedestrian crossing. Traders and pick pockets equally constituted a nuisance at Pen Cinema; not as much in Ikeja. Then Oshodi was bad enough with Yaba and Oyingbo fairly better.
The commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab and his team have now gone to work by taking the bull by the horns. A visit to any of the spots show remarkable shift in aesthetics and order. The squatters and traders are nowhere to be found. The shanties have been dislodged. This is as the governor insists that there should not be any form of intrusion on the railway right of way going forward.
The Lagos Red Line runs parallel to the federal government owned Lagos-Ibadan rail line corridor. The interstate service is fully functional with its standard gauge facilities.
With the President expected on 29th February to launch this service, this milestone will continue to drive discussions not only in mass transportation, but urban renewal and timely incubation, execution and delivery of revolutionary infrastructure projects.
By this, Lagos has shown a knack for excellence unparalleled in the federation. The importance of urban regeneration and organised mass transportation, in this case a multi-modal system cannot be overemphasised.
With the Blue line doing extremely well, not just as a safe, comfortable and fast means of transportation since its commercial launch, more is expected of the Red Line seeing that the 37-kilometre railway will move Lagosians like it’s done in modern cities across the world. Ensuring that pressure on our roads are reduced, less cars and buses on the roads thereby improving healthy living and making living in Lagos more enjoyable through tourism and meaningful connections.
It is expected that more than 500,000 passengers which shall progressively increase over the next few months shall be moved by this service.
The Red Line shall benefit from the successful Cowry card system which has eliminated human interference in the way fares are paid and managed. What’s more, the cards can be used across all vehicles of transportation as managed by Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, including the Blue Line, LagFerry and BRT buses.
Nnadozie is a public affairs analyst
