Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, officially signed a contract for the construction of the second phase of the Blue Line, extending from Mile 2 to the Okokomaiko area of the state.
He declared that this vital project is scheduled for completion by the year 2026.
Sanwo-Olu reassured the residents of his commitment to delivering essential infrastructure to alleviate the persistent traffic congestion in the state, ultimately fostering economic prosperity for all.
The governor spoke at the official commissioning of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit, LRMT, Red Line Overpass Bridge at Yaba, supervised by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA,
He said today marks a significant step in fulfilling our commitment to improving traffic management and transportation, a key component of our T.H.E.M.E.S+ agenda.
Sanwo-Olu said: “This is another great day in Lagos; a day we are witnessing another leap in the fulfillment of our promise under the Traffic management and Transportation pillar of our T.H.E.M.E.S+ agenda.
“About three years ago, we commenced the construction of four bridges across rail lines between Oyingbo and Ikeja. The bridges, located at Ikeja, Mushin, Yaba, and Oyingbo, are designed to ensure the safety of our people.
“Over the years, we have recorded avoidable fatal accidents on railway crossings, most of the time due to human errors.
“The ceremony is therefore significant because with this Overpass Bridge and others at Ikeja, Mushin, and Oyingbo which will be formally commissioned before the end of the year, there will be no more occurrence of train-vehicular accidents at these locations.
“Without any iota of doubt, we have remained focused on our commitment to developing sustainable solutions to the transportation challenges along the major transit spines to give relief to our teeming population by reducing congestion, and improving travel time as well as the cost of commuting.”
On the award of the second phase of the Mile 2-Okokomaiko Blue Line, the governor said: “I have also signed the contract for the second phase of the Blue Line from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko. Construction has started and is expected to be completed in three years. We have given the contractor a deadline for the completion.
“I have given assurance that our LRMT Red Line will commence testing by early next quarter.”
Kanyi Daily recalls that Babajide Sanwo-Olu joined other passengers for the inaugural train ride of Lagos state Blue Line rail.