By; MATTHEW UKACHUNWA, Lagos
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has commemorated the inaugural phase of the Blue Line of Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) system.
He described the event as remaking of history that is taking place after 120 years when a tramway system was launched in the city of Lagos, connecting Mainland to Lagos Island.
The governor announced that the event is not the commissioning of the project completion.
“To fully put into context our gathering here today, let us briefly go down memory lane, to 1902, when a tramway system was launched here in the city of Lagos, connecting the Mainland to Lagos Island.
“That tramway quickly became an important part of social and commercial life in early 20th century Lagos.
“Now, one hundred and twenty years later, we are remaking history with the completion of yet another historic rail line, the first phase of the Blue Line of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT).
“Let me make it clear that today is not the commissioning of the inaugural phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit.
“What we are gathered for is to commemorate the completion of the project construction.
“Very soon, in the first quarter of 2023, will put together a fitting official commissioning. Until then, we have an important phase of test-running to carry out, to ensure that everything is in place and in order, for the kick-off of full commercial operations,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He emphasized that this milestone in the development of the Lagos Rail Msss Transit (LRMT) is the culmination of several impactful reforms in the transport ecosystem of Lagos State, starting in 1999, the dawn of the fourth Republic, “when our Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office as the democratically-elected Governor of Lagos State.”
Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the Lagos that Asiwaju inherited was very different from the Lagos of the present time.
“It was a struggling metropolis, burdened by many challenges, ranging from waste management to deficiencies in critical infrastructure to rampant insecurity and a demoralized public service.
“Asiwaju wasted no time getting down to work, to develop the masterplan and roadmap that have consistently guided the development of the State since then.
“Among the many components of Asiwaju’s vision for a Greater Lagos, is the Strategic Transport
Master Plan (STMP), which laid out the foundation for a network of robust and modern transport infrastructure befitting the 21st century: six rail lines and one monorail, 14 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors, over 20 water routes and a number of major new roads. Central to the implementation of the Transport Masterplan is the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), established by Asiwaju in 2002,” Sanwo-Olu elaborated..
He declared that over the last two decades, that masterplan has been faithfully implemented by successive administrations, “and LAMATA has grown from strength to strength. I am grateful to the Almighty God, and to you the good people of Lagos State, for the opportunity to be at the helm of affairs at this milestone moment in the development journey of our dear State.”
The governor clarified that the completion of the infrastructure for the first phase of the Blue Line rail is a strong testimony of his administration’s commitment to building on the legacies of past administrations, and the pioneering vision of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The first phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line stretches from Marina to Mile 2, covering five Stations and a 13-kilometre stretch, out of the total of 27km that is the entire Blue Line, and which will run from Marina to Okokomaiko. The line will be powered by electricity to be supplied from a standalone Independent Power Plant.
Sanwo-Olu narrated that the Blue Line no doubt has had an interesting history, with many delays in the completion, which he said were not due to a lack of enthusiasm or commitment on the part of the Lagos State Government.
.”I will not dwell on those challenges, we have put them behind us, and we will from now on focus on the benefits of this project, for our people.
“Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, our vision for an integrated transport system is enunciated in the Traffic Management and Transportation pillar of our T.H.E.M.E.S agenda. As I noted earlier, our Transportation Strategy is a multimodal one, bringing together the various elements of road, rail, and water, and ensuring that they are seamlessly integrated.
“Coincidentally, this location, in the Marina, is central to our integrated multimodal transport system, being a melting pot for all the transportation modes. I am happy to announce that we will be developing Marina into an integrated transport interchange, with the support of the French Development Agency (AFD),” the Lagos State leader said.
The three train sets for the commercial passenger operations for the Blue Line are already on ground, Sanwo-Olu said, adding: “We will shortly be riding in one.”
