- Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat, eulogize Tinubu, Fashola as builder of modern Lagos
By Demilade Adeniyi
President Muhammadu Buhari presence alone was what was needed to inaugurate the 13km first phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (Blue Line).
He also witnessed the signing of the contract for the second phase of the project between the State Government and Messrs China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation (CCECC), which took place at the Marina Multi-level Station.
The second and final phase would see the project extended to Okokomaiko, thereby completing the remaining 14kms.
At exactly, 12 noon, President Muhammadu Buhari, led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Deputy Governor Dr Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, took a historic trip on the Blue Line, the first of such train by any sub-national government in Africa.
Sanwo-Olu said the official commissioning of the Blue Line, which is the first of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) systems designed by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (LAMATA).
The governor said the project which is people focused would reduce travel time, improve the quality of life of the people, and improve the economy of the state, which is one of the most resilient megacity improving its capacity to compete with other megacities in the world.
He also assured that the government would commission the Red Line, which he described as “a bigger, better and longer rail line,” which shared the same corridor with the Nigerian Railway Corridor before the expiration of the tenure of the president.
The governor said he is signing the second phase of the project with Messrs CCECC, in the presence of the presence of the President in demonstration that the government is committed to bringing the entire stretch of the blue line to completion.
He said: “Since 1999, Lagos State has not enjoyed the kind of support that it has been enjoying since the administration came in seven and a half years ago. We know how many times you have came into Lagos and at all times, we are always excited at your kind words about our government.”
He said the various projects that was commissioned are a testimony to the kind of support enjoyed from the Federal Government. The Lagos Rice Mill in Imota, was a demonstration of your commitment and policy that we must eat what you can grow, grow what you can eat, which was hinged on the government’s agricultural revolution. He added that the Lekki Deep Sea Port was a demonstration of the president’s commitment and ensuring that the project was completed withn the time frame left of the government, adding that the project would be a catalyst to the growth and economic prosperity of the country.
Sanwo-Olu said the Blue line which was achieved with the collaboration with the Nigerian Railway Corporation is a testament of the President’s “bold, national vision towards various infrastructural transformation across the country.
He paid special tribute to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the APC for his profound imagination which brought to the fore the Blue line, which was premised on the development of a robust roadmap for transportation in Lagos, which laid the foundation for a modern, economically competitive megacity.
He said the Lagos Strategic Transport Masterplan was envisioned as a six metroline, which includes the Blue line, a 27km lines that runs from Marina to Okokomaiko. He said the journey had been eventful as many challenges have been surmounted, including lack of support from various governments including the PDP Government when they were in power.
“With your government, we have continued to receive tremendous support, especially on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway which is the main corridor for this rail project. He said Lagos since the coming of President Buhari has continued on a rise and we are seeing the emergence of bold developments happening under your watch. The completion of the Blue line, the first by a sub-national with a sea crossing is a testament that the dark days of oppression are over,” Sanwo-Olu added.
He said the phase one of the Blue line has five stations – Marina, National Theatre (Iganmu), Alaba, Orile and Mile 2 Stations, which cuts the trip between Marina to Mile 2 to less than 15 minutes, what hitherto was done in two hours.
Giving the features of the new train system, Sanwo-Olu said the Blue line would be powered by end to end “high voltage electricity to be supplied by a dedicated independent power plant as a back up system which means the operation of the system would have zero carbon emission impact on the environment.
The iconic Marina Station would be the largest and he busiest in Africa with capacity to process about 400 to 450 passengers every one minute meaning in an hour, the station can process about 25,000 passengers. He said the first phase is expected to carry 250,000 passengers monthly and when the entire line is fully operational would account for 500,000 passengers monthly.
He lauded President Buhari for the tremendous support in terms of series of waivers on customs duty to be able to bring the trains in for the project.
He also acknowledged the contributions of his predecessor Mr Babatunde Fashola who both himself and his Deputy governor served under his cabinet for his commitment to the actualisation of the Blue Line.
Sanwo-Olu told the people: “This project is for you. It is also a demonstration that Lagos can work for you and that the government leading you are committed to your wellbeing and we are telling you that your life can be better. It is a demonstration of purposeful government and that is why we are asking you to continue to repose your confidence in us as the best option you have for responsive government.
In his welcome address earlier, the Deputy Governor Dr Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat described the Blue line as the most audacious project to be single handedly funded by a subnational government in Africa adding that since its completion, it has continued to elicit excitement among Lagosians who can not wait to begin a ride on it.
He said the Marina Station would be central to the integrated intermodal transportation system and this when fully on stream will enhance mass transportation and improve the state’s stakes to be able to compete favourably among similar megacities from around the world.
In his goodwill message, the Chiese Ambassador to Nigeria Mr Cui Jian Chun said China would continue to support Nigeria and strengthen its bilateral relations.
He said China is happy that after many years, Lagos is taking possession of the Blue line, which he said would ensure a reduction in travel time on the corridor, improve efficiency and economic development, proficiency and efficiency.