The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has announced that the infrastructure for the first phase of Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LMRT) Blue Line is ready.
According to a statement by the Consultant, Corporate Communication of LAMATA, Mr Kolawole Ojelabi, the completion of the infrastructure is in fulfilment of the promise made by the Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu that the project would be completed in the last quarter of 2022, ahead of the commencement of passenger operations slated for the first quarter of 2023.
Ojelabi explained that the LRMT Blue Line is one of the six rail lines and monorail prescribed for Lagos in the state’s Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP).
According to him, the LRMT Blue Line is a 27-kilometre rail system from Marina to Okokomaiko.
Construction has been divided into phases for ease of implementation and is expected to move more than 500,000 passengers when the entire line is completed.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu had, while campaigning for the office of Governor, promised to complete the infrastructure for the first phase of the LRMT Blue Line and bring it to passenger operation.
“The first phase is a 13-kilometre stretch from Marina to Mile 2 and has five stations at Mile 2, Suru-Alaba, Orile Iganmu, National Theatre and Marina. It is expected to move about 200,000 passengers daily”, he said.
Ojelabi further said that the rail system would be powered by electricity from an independent power plant to be purposely built for its operation.
Similarly, LAMATA Managing Director, Engr. Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo said that the completion of the infrastructure for the first phase of the LRMT Blue Line is a testimonial of the importance of public transportation to Governor Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S agenda.
T.H.E.M.E.S, the developmental agenda for Greater Lagos, represents the six-pillar development plan of the Sanwo-Olu administration. It stands for Traffic Management and Transportation; Health and Environment; Education and Technology; Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy; Entertainment and Tourism; and Security and Governance.
