263 PAPs on compensation as LASG flags-off first phase of Red Line Rail Project
By Moses Adeniyi
The Lagos Government (LASG) has flagged off the commencement of the First Phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line Project, which is projected to move its first passenger in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Accompanying the flag-off ceremony was the presentation of compensation cheques to the Project Affected Persons (PAPs) which sums into no less than 263 beneficiaries. While some beneficiaries due for their cheques received same on Thursday, the exercise is meant to be continued for others subsequently.
Beneficiaries of this payment are those who have been verified to be bona fide property owners, business owners and tenants of the affected buildings.
Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony on Thursday, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said since transportation is the backbone of any economy, it is necessary for the State to invest in transport infrastructure for Lagosians to meet their daily targets and aspirations.
“Today, we begin another journey into making our State competitive as we further our commitment to building an enduring infrastructure for our transport system,” he said.
According to him, based on the first pillar of the Administration’s policy thrust which emphasizes transportation and traffic management encapsulated in the THEMES agenda, the State’s commitment is to develop an efficient and sustainable transportation system that will improve mobility, promote economic growth and enhance the living conditions of our people.
Stressing the significance of what he described as the strategic importance of Lagos to the general well-being of the “national economy and indeed the whole of West Africa”, he said: “Since transportation is the backbone of any economy, it then means we need to invest in our transport infrastructure so that our people can meet their daily targets and aspirations.
“This all-important transport project, the ground breaking of which we are all gathered to witness today represents a major step in this direction.
“We are therefore committed to renewing our infrastructure, building new ones where necessary, expanding and improving facilities that are prerequisite to an efficient and integrated transportation system based on our Strategic Transport Master plan which encompasses a number of projects that are germane to achieving our vision for a Greater Lagos.”
He mentioned that the plan is founded on a number of imperatives which include “increasing transport choices for all users, make the transit system integrated, attractive, convenient, affordable and accessible, reduce urban transportation-induced emissions, optimise usage of current road network, integrate land use development (urban physical planning) and urban transport planning and secure long term financing of investment plan.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu assured that his administration would continue to search for every available means of funding for transport infrastructure in a bid to ensure that by 2022, the two rail lines would become operational with the initiation of the construction of another two more lines in partnership with the private sector.
He added that the State’s desire is to achieve improved connectivity amongst transport modes, “making commuting within Lagos easy as well as business-like for every Lagosian and visitor, reduce congestion, have predictable travel time and improve the GDP of our state.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu dislclosed that his administration is simultaneously working on bringing the first phase of the Blue Line to passenger operation, projected to commence operation by the fourth quarter of 2022.
According to him, the construction of infrastructure for the standard gauge Red Line, which would share tracks with the Lagos-Ibadan Railway Modernisation Projects and whose implementation started Thursday, is divided into two phases.
“The implementation of the Red line project has become very elevated because of the financing package put in place for it by the State Government through the Central Bank Nigeria (CBN) Differentiated Cash Reserve Requirement (DCRR) programme,” he said.
As part of the ground-breaking ceremony and in fulfilment of the promise of the Government, cheques were presented as compensation to those whose property, businesses and accommodation will be affected by the project.
Governor Sanwo-Olu however, appealed to all Lagosians on the need to bear with patience the temporary pains and the inconveniences that would be experienced in the course of this project.
“I implore you to cooperate with the contractors as we implement this life-changing and impacting project for the seamless mobility of all Lagosians,” he said.
In her remarks, the Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Engr. Abimbola Akinajo, mentioned that the project speaks to the significance of having a robust and thriving transport sector which is strategically the backbone of the economy.
She described the effort as a major step in bringing the Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration’s commitment to enhanced integrated transport system into fulfillment, based on the policy thrust encapsulated in the THEMES Agenda.
According to her, the funding for the Red Line Project is readily available and with the right support from the Governor, the project will not suffer set back from fund challenges.
She disclosed that the rail line is expected to convey circa 500,000 passengers a day for the phase one and once the full project is implemented, it will carry circa one million passengers a day.
“The project will positively impact the economy of Lagos and directly improves mobility of Lagosians,” she said.
According to her, the journey which currently takes 2-3 hours will take no longer than 35 minutes.
In his remarks the State’s commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde mentioned that the commencement of the project is a reaffirmation of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to fulfill the promise of a robust transportation and traffic management system based on the strategic master plan of the State.
The Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line is a 37km North-South rail project divided into two implementation phases, with the capacity to move more than one million passengers daily when fully operational. With 12 proposed stations, the first phase will cover Oyingbo to Agbado with nine stations.
Three of the stations will be constructed with the Lagos – Ibadan Railway Modernisation Projects by the Federal Government at Agbado, Agege and Ebute Metta Junction. The remaining six would be constructed as independent stations at Iju, Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushin Yaba and Oyingbo.
The phase two which would be mostly elevated would have stations at Iddo and Ebute-Ero before terminating at Marina where a huge interchange is planned to manage commuters on the Red, Green and Blue Rail lines, BRT buses and those using the waterways.
Some of the unique characteristics of the Red Line is its integration with the Ikeja Bus Terminal, Oshodi – Abule-Egba Bus Rapid Transit, the future Orange Line, which goes from Ikeja to Agbowa, and the General Aviation Terminal One of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport through a skywalk.
Another unique feature of the Red Line is that all the stations have elevated concourses with either at grade island or side platforms for easy boarding and alighting of passengers.
The Red Line also integrates with the Bus Terminals at Oyingbo, Yaba, Oshodi, Ikeja and Iju, giving modal options to Lagosians in their daily commute, either for business or leisure.
