Indeed, since he assumed leadership of Lagos in 2007, Fashola has committed billions of naira into easing the frustrating transportation challenges in the state. In his administration’s bid to transform Lagos into a mega city, many roads have been constructed, reconstructed and rehabilitated, while the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Scheme has become a global success. The BRT, which runs from Mile 12 to Lagos Island through Ikorodu Road, transports over 200, 000 commuters on a typical work day.
The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has been applauded by scores of individuals and groups from around the world for its efforts at making transportation an enjoyable venture in Lagos. Even now, LAMATA is busy working on the 49.5km Lekki-Epe Expressway and the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, a 60-kilometre road.
But even though the BRT has achieved tremendous success since commencing operation, it isn’t hard to see that the metropolis still needs a rapid rail system. That explains why LAMATA developed a Rail Master Plan with an extensive network of rail lines connecting most parts of Lagos metropolitan area. Like the BRT Scheme, the urban rail system will be implemented through a Public Private Partnership scheme (PPP).
In the past, rail transportation was a common feature in the country. It was the most reliable means of transporting goods and cargoes from the North to the West. Decades of neglect and funding, however, crippled the activities of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC). But even that is changing, as the federal government now seems ready to revive the country’s rail system.
Governor Fashola recently visited the Orile-Mile 2 part of the metropolis, where he conducted an on-the-spot assessment of work done so far on the project by the contractors, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). The governor praised the contractors, saying he was convinced that the project would be delivered on time.
According to him, he was convinced that the first seven kilometres of the Blue Line of the Light Rail Project would be delivered before the year runs out, adding, however, that such would be determined by the availability of funds. He asserted that he had no reason to doubt the contractors, especially as they had already completed 90 per cent of the structural work.
As the Lagos State government busies itself with building the light rail system, the federal government has also given its commitment to rehabilitating the decaying rail system across the country. As gathered, the NRC plans to do a track spot renewal of Lagos to Kano and Maiduguri to Port-Harcourt, bring in 25 new locomotive engines from Brazil to boost its existing motive power base, upgrade the signalling and telecommunication system from manual to semi automatic, and rehabilitate its Carriage and Wagon Workshops.
The organisation is also re-equipping the workshops, rebranding the corporation, rehabilitating the stations and marshalling yards, among others. LAMATA didn’t start the rapid rail scheme in Lagos. In the 1980s, the then governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande had conceived the Lagos Metroline project. The project was terminated in 1985 by the Muhammadu Buhari military regime. Indeed, that singular action has turned Lagos into the only mega-city in the world lacking a rail-based mass transit (RBMT) system.
When completed, the Lagos light rail project would provide rail services for passengers on routes that are most heavily travelled in Lagos. The first two lines being developed are the Red Line and the Blue Line, both to be developed on a public-private participation (PPP) basis. The Lagos government would provide the rail and station infrastructure, while the other party would procure and finance rolling stock, depot facilities, as well as provide operations and maintenance over a 25-year period.
Fashola explained how the scheme would work: “The Red Line rail system is being developed on the North-South axis through some of the most densely populated areas in Lagos. Beginning on Lagos Island, the Red Line will run north to Agbado through a total of 13 stations. From the Marina to Iddo stations, the Red Line will share the alignment with the Blue Line. The shared infrastructure in these portions will be constructed as part of the Red Line project. From Agbado to Iddo, the Red Line will utilize the existing Nigerian Railways Corporation (NRC) corridor.
“The Blue Line will run 27 kilometres from Okokomaiko to Marina, one of the most densely travelled corridors in Lagos. The rail infrastructure is being developed in conjunction with the Badagry Expressway project, a proposed toll road running from Lagos to Badagry. The Blue Line will run on an exclusive 15-metre right of way in the middle of the expressway.
“In total there will be thirteen stations, three that will be shared with the Red Line system. The stations will be located above the tracks, with large pedestrian walkways crossing the expressway. Large, concrete barriers will be placed between the rail lines and the expressway to ensure no external factors will disrupt service. The Blue Line system will require the construction of two bridges. The larger of the two, to be shared with the Red Line, will connect the mainland with the island. The second bridge will be across the river at Mile 2.
“The Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) project will be the most multi-dimensional and most impacting effort of the Lagos State Government at combating Lagos untamed traffic congestion, which has had adverse effect on the economy and the environment.”
The governor also asserted that the project has already liberated many Lagosians from the labour market. “On one of the sites, we have a total of 325 workers, 300 of them Nigerians and 25 Chinese. At the second site, where we have the terminus, you also saw another set of workers. Those people would, probably, have been idle, looking for desperate income, for which there is no work. But I am happy that we are able to put them to work and give them the opportunity to retain their dignity and use their own hands and their own skills to earn a living and feed their families,” said the governor.
The state government, LAMATA and the contractors are excited that before the end of the year, the first seven kilometres of the Blue Line would have been completed alongside the first five stations. No fewer than 8,000 people would be employed during the construction phase of the projects. “Apart from employment gains, it will shorten the travel time in the state by significant number of hours and make life much more pleasant and enjoyable. Also, the success of the Blue Line will immediately open up other rail corridors in the state,” the governor further said.
“Great things are happening,” enthused Jimoh Alabi, an insurance executive on Lagos Island. “With the way things are now, I believe we will be riding the first rail line next year. I can hardly wait. Fashola has promised to transform Lagos, and this is another milestone achievement.”
http://www.sunnewsonline.com/article/lagos-residents-others-await-fashola%E2%80%99s-light-rail
September 13, 2016, 01:03:12 PM