Red Line project: Lagos starts compensation for affected communities

In fulfilment of its promise to compensate project-affected parties while establishing the right of ways for the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red line project in Ogun State, the Lagos State Government has commenced payment of compensation to about 800 people made up of tenants and property owners.

The compensation process was carried out jointly by officials of the Land Bureau of the Ogun State Government and consultant to Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Messrs. Global Impact and Environmental Service. It was witnessed by LAMATA officials.

At the commencement of the payment of compensation, LAMATA’s Managing Director, Mrs Abimbola Akinajo, who was represented by the agency’s Technical Adviser, Corporate and Investment Planning, Engr. Osa Konyeha underscored the importance of the process, which he described as one of the outputs of the Lagos-Ogun Joint Development Commission – the body set up to ensure seamless development between both states, particularly for cross boundary issues.

Akinajo stated that Lagos State Government was developing a number of transport schemes that would impact Ogun State, one of which is the Red Line rail project which would have a station and depot in Agbado.

The Red Line has been forecasted to bring lots of economic and mobility benefits to Agbado and environs and shortened travel time between the Ogun State community and Marina on Lagos Island by more than two hours, especially during the peak hours.

Last week, both state governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which grants Lagos access to acquire space for the construction of a train station and depot yard at Agbado.

The MoU is a product of several high level meetings between both states for the Red Line rail, which is projected to move more than one million passengers daily when fully completed, and create employment for thousands of people as well as promoting real estate and improving the lifestyle of the people of both states.

The LAMATA MD thanked the Ogun State government for the immense cooperation given its Lagos counterpart and its agency, LAMATA to work in order to beat the deadline for the completion of the railway project’s infrastructure. Passenger operation is slated to commence in the first quarter of 2023.

The Red Line is  a 25-kilometre rail road from Agbado to Lagos Marina. Its first phase from Agbado to Oyingbo is under construction and is due to commence passenger operations in the first quarter of 2023.