Join us or we meet in 2027 — Tinubu tells Labour

..Commisions Lagos Red Line Rail project

…insists Nigeria will be out of economic problems,

…Red Line Rail to transport 750,000 passengers daily

By Moses Adeniyi

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday replied the Organised Labour over their protests against troubling economic situation in the Country, calling for support for his government ‘to make Nigeria work.’

President Tinubu who noted that the Organised Labour has embarked on strike four times in about nine months of his government, gave them an option to either join fellowship to work hand in hand with his administration, or should they choose “to be political,” they should meet his government at the polls in 2027.

“The Labour has gone on strike four times within my nine months in government. That’s a record. However, they should join us to make Nigeria work as we are currently doing, otherwise if they want to be political, they should meet us in 2027,”  President Tinubu said on Thursday when he inaugurated the first phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line project.

Calling on Nigerians to embrace change and work towards national progress,   he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to eradicating corruption and called on labour unions to refrain from disruptive actions.

‘’Some labour unions should understand that no matter how we cling to our freedom and rights, to call for strikes within the first nine months of a new administration is unacceptable.

‘’If you want to directly participate in the electoral process, wait until 2027, if not, maintain the peace. Labour is not the only voice of Nigeria,’’ the President affirmed.

The Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line project is a 37km project expected to reduce travel time and improve transportation and logistics in the state.

The President on Thursday also witnessed the signing of the contract for Phase 2 of the LRMT Red Line project by the Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Engr. Abimbola Akinajo, and the Chairman of CCECC Nigeria Limited, Jason Zhang.

The President, before departing for a state visit to Qatar on Thursday, embarked on an inaugural train ride from the Ikeja station to the Agege station, accompanied by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Governor of the State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; some state governors; members of the Federal and State Executive Councils; members of the Federal and State Legislative Assemblies; Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun, and a select group of journalists.

Addressing a gathering of Nigerians at the train station in Ikeja, President Tinubu directed the Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’idu Alkali, to ensure that the federal and subnational governments strengthen their collaboration to provide reliable, efficient, and affordable transportation systems for all Nigerians across the country.

‘’Today, I am seriously honoured that I am a Lagosian and the first to be President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

‘’My promise is not to let you down. We will arrive at the destination with joy, happiness, and prosperity; God willing,” he said.  

Reflecting on his tenure as the former governor of Lagos State, when the vision of a modern and effective public transportation system in the state was conceived, President Tinubu described the project as a dream realised and a fulfillment of years of hard work and dedication by successive governments.

‘’I am very happy indeed that today is a day to remember in Nigeria’s infrastructural history, particularly Lagos, the centre of excellence. Today is evidence that it is good to dream, and it is a serious validation of democracy as a form of government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

‘’When you put people at the centre of your vision and planning, you will realise the value of democracy.

‘’Twenty-five years ago, I was elected to lead Nigeria’s most populous state. From the very beginning, my team and I toiled day and night with a very bare cupboard and amidst pervasive deficiency to implement a developmental vision that would transform Lagos into an economic powerhouse. Today, we are realising that dream.

‘’The momentum of greatness we kickstarted a quarter of a century ago has become unstoppable progress. It is not a crime to dream and dream big. Just stay focused and make development a central focus,” he said.

President Tinubu commended the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), the urban transport agency which was established under his watch as Lagos State Governor over 20 years ago, for its exemplary performance and implored LAMATA to sustain the momentum in completing all other phases of the Red Line project, as well as the full execution of the broader rail blueprint of the state.

“Thank God LAMATA as a public sector institution and Lagos State as sub national government has moved strong and constant that true change is possible,” he said.

Further commenting on efforts he said, “Let me commend here the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the giant strides. He was part of the vision. Some 20 years ago, I sent them around as their governor and leader to look at the system, to  other parts of the countries and they worked hard. .

“I am delighted that as we inaugurate the first phase of the Red Line. We cannot afford to rest on our oars, more work still need to be done at national and subnational level, no room for complacency. I look forward to the completion of the other phases.

“I perceived massive economic opportunities coming out of this. I am assuring that Nigeria will be out of economic problems, we just need to persevere, work hard and be assured.”

On the issue of corruption, the President said, “we will be on it, we are not looking back.”

“I speak to Nigerians through this podium that change is possible and change is possible and change we must achieve, progress we must achieve.

“We cannot afford to relax the burgeoning population, we must plan and prepare for it, we must be committed to a great value. This economy, we blow it, we will build ourselves out of the penury and will be happy that we did it

“Taking a close look at work in aviation, what is our problem, if it is corruption, we must exterminate it.

“No matter how hard it is fighting back, no to corruption, we must adhere to our pledge, patriotism, perseverance, consistency and stay open.”

On the need to blend national efforts with those of subnational governments, he said: “The national transportation minister is here. It is very critical for your Ministry to collaborate further with sub-national government, to help build a Nigeria for the greatest number.

“Nigeria must be able to enjoy access to multiple alternative modes of transportation all of which are safe, efficient and affordable.”

Remarking, Governor Sanwo-Olu explained that the first phase of the project, executed by the State Government, spans 37 kilometers and shares the track of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Lagos-Ibadan modernisation project from Ebute Metta to Agbado with stations at Oyingbo, Yaba, Mushin, Oshodi, Ikeja, Agege, and Iju.

According to Sanwo-Olu, phase one of the project will transport 750,000 passengers daily at inception and 1.1 million passengers daily once it is fully operational.

‘’All the stations are live and ready to receive passengers,’’  Sanwo-Olu said.

Sanwo-Olu described the ceremony as a “culmination of long, painstaking journey” of reforms in the transportation sector of the State, stressing that the commissioning of the rail system, once again, breathed life into Tinubu’s vision of integrated transport connectivity.

The Governor said the Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP) of Lagos outlined six integrated rail lines, one monorail, 14 BRT corridors, over 20 water routes, and a vast network of major and inner roads.

Two of the rail lines had been completed, he said, acknowledging the contributions of his predecessors — Fashola and Ambode — towards the accomplishment of the State’s rail projects.

He said, “Today, we mark a historic milestone in the annals of Lagos and indeed, our nation, with the commissioning of the Red Line, a 37-km marvel of modern engineering that stretches from Agbado in Ogun State to the iconic National Theatre in Iganmu. The segment we are inaugurating today spans an impressive 27-km from Agbado to Oyingbo, featuring state-of-the-art stations at Agbado, Iju, Agege, Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba, and Oyingbo.

“For the first time in the history of Lagos, we have a system comprising and integrating all three modes of transportation: road, rail and waterways. We started construction of the rail infrastructure mid-2021, and I am happy that our administration has been able to complete for operations. At full capacity this first phase of the Red Line will transport 250,000 passengers daily, which will grow to 750,000 passengers daily when we have the full complement of rolling stock on the line.”

While speaking to reporters aboard the train during the inaugural ride, President Tinubu assured Nigerians that their lives will only become more enjoyable as modern amenities are built across the entire nation under his progressive leadership.

“This is very efficient and comfortable, and I am happy. Our transportation system must be all about the people. We have cut down imports on PMS by almost 50 percent. We need mass transit to complement the daily efforts of citizens and make things easier for our people. And this is what this is all about. It is about the people. It is about democracy. We are happy about it,” President Tinubu stated.

The first phase of the 37-kilometre rail line, constructed by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), was commissioned with seven stations built along its corridor, traversing Agbado — a boundary town in Ogun State — to Oyingbo in Lagos Central.

The Red Line was inaugurated exactly 12 months after the State’s first light rail — Blue Line — was inaugurated by former President Muhammadu Buhari. The 13-kilometres project, started by ex-Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, traverses five stations between Mile 2 and Marina.

Six Governors, led by the chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, were among the first set of passengers who joined the President alongside Gov. Sanwo-Olu in a ride on the train, following the commissioning at the Ikeja mega station in the State Capital.