Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State undertook a significant milestone on Saturday as he led a test run of the Lagos Red Line, setting the stage for its anticipated commissioning by President Bola Tinubu scheduled for next week.
This pivotal step marks a significant leap forward in the development of Lagos State’s transportation infrastructure.
Accompanied by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, and key members of the State cabinet, Governor Sanwo-Olu meticulously inspected the tracks and rail corridors, ensuring the readiness of the infrastructure for public use.
During the inspection, the governor paid close attention to essential comfort facilities onboard, including the train’s cooling system, handrails, cushioned seats, and in-built safety features of the wagons.
In a statement released by his chief press secretary, Gboyega Akosile, Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the construction of the Red Line Rail Project.
He highlighted the importance of the rail line in transforming the state’s transportation landscape and addressing the growing demand for efficient public transit options.
“Today, I was at the Ikeja Train Station for the pivotal test run of the brand-new trains dedicated to our transformative Red Line Rail Project.”
“We just completed another inspection of the Red Rail Line facility and corridor; now we are back in Ikeja Mega Station. We all have just used the train to Iju and back. I’m sure our media men can fully report what we all witnessed in the course of the short journey. This rail infrastructure is ready for inauguration, but we still have a few cleaning to do,” Sanwo-Olu said in a statement by his chief press secretary Gboyega Akosile.
“The challenge we have is the pedestrian interference on the rail track and unapproved activities seen along the corridor. We will continue with the enforcement we started against illegal use of the rail corridor. We are in talks with NRC (Nigeria Railway Corporation) to reinforce the train route with physical barriers to limit pedestrian interference.”
He told residents of the state to abide by safety measures in using the rail line, saying, “We have reduced human interference on the track considerably over the last two months, but enforcement continues.
“The stations are ready, the trains are ready and I believe Lagosians are ready to welcome this new infrastructure built for their use and benefit.”
He reassured the public of the state’s commitment to maintaining high standards of safety and efficiency in its transportation initiatives.
The 37-kilometer Red Line, constructed by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), stands as a testament to Lagos State’s commitment to modernizing its transportation network.
The Red Line spans seven stations, connecting Agbado, a boundary town in Ogun State, to Oyingbo in Lagos Central, offering commuters a convenient and reliable mode of transportation across the bustling metropolis.
