By Demi Adeniyi
Again, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has assured that the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line rail system will carry its first passenger in the first quarter of 2023 when it is projected to commence passenger operations.
The Red Line is a 37-kilometre rail road from Agbado, Ogun State to Marina in Central Lagos but its first phase – Agbado to Oyingbo – is due to be completed by the end of this year and passenger operations are expected to commence within the first quarter of 2023.
Managing Director of LAMATA, Engr. Abimbola Akinajo, disclosed this at the handover of a new block of classrooms at the Mushin Public Primary School to the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
She said that the vision of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is to see the rail begin passenger operation by the first quarter of 2023.
The block of 12 classrooms was built as replacement for the former school building demolished to give way for the Red Line rail project’s overpass bridge and Mushin Train Station.
Mrs. Akinajo, who was represented by the Director of Rail Transport, Mr. Olasunkanmi Okusaga said “LAMATA as a planning, implementing and regulatory agency is primed to make it happen, hence our commitment to ensure that all civil infrastructure, rolling stocks and other infrastructure necessary for its smooth operation are ready before commissioning.”
She expressed the State’s appreciation to the pupils and their parents for their cooperation during the period the children were relocated to other schools pending the reconstruction of another school in the new location.
Mrs. Akinajo also commended residents whose building were affected while establishing the right-of-way for the rail project’s infrastructure, saying “those who gave up their property for these two projects – the overpass bridge and train station – have done noble things in our quest for development of public transport infrastructure. We salute those affected for being part of history of the development of this state. Your contributions and sacrifice will surely not be in vain.”
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr. Abayomi Abolaji, praised Mr. Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the bold initiative to build the rail system in Lagos.
He recalled how train link between Lagos and other parts of the country years back made commuting easy and affordable.
Mr. Abolaji thanked the Lagos State Government for fulfilling its promise to demolish and rebuild the school which was achieved within one year of pulling down the former building, describing the building as one that speaks to the vision of Mr. Governor of making Lagos a 21st century city.