Gov Sanwo-Olu celebrates completion of 1st phase of Lagos Blue Rail

The Governor of Lagos State, has celebrated the conclusion of the first phase of the 

Almost two decades after the project started, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday, celebrated completion of Lagos Blue Rail Mass Transit (LRMT).

The governor has formally entered the coach and made use of the electric-power rail infrastructure.

In the company of the Governor, were the deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the Speaker, of the State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa among others.

Others with the governor were members of his cabinet, newsmen and members of the state.

The Governor and his entourage went on the first trip from the National Theatre Station to the iconic station in Marina — a trip which took approximately 10 minutes.

The Informant247 learned that the infrastructure started in 1999, when the former Governor of the state, Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office.

Sanwo-Olu said the infrastructure has proven that the government’ is committed to building on the pioneering legacy of Tinubu.

The governor has referred to the infrastructure as “historic”.

He said the state was the 1st sub-national government in the black continent to bankroll and deliver such infrastructure.

He added that the government will commence the construction of the 2nd phase of the infrastructure — 14-kilometres from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko, after the commissioning of the 1st phase in January.

The Governor noted: “The Tinubu administration developed the Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP), which laid out the foundation for a network of robust and modern transport infrastructure befitting the 21st century city. The master plan has six rail lines and one monorail, 14 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors, over 20 water routes and a number of major new roads. Central to the implementation of the transport master plan is Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) established in 2002.

“Over the last two decades, that master plan has been faithfully implemented by successive administrations. Today, we are making history with the completion of historic rail line, which is the first phase of the Blue Line.

“The road to the completion of this project, no doubt, has had an interesting story of delays, which were not due to a lack of enthusiasm or commitment on the part of the state government. “Now, we have put the challenges behind us; from now on, we will focus on the benefits of this project for our people.”

The Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, has described the completion of project as an affirmation the Governor’s vision for public transportation.

He said: “Mr. Governor, I want to say thank you for sticking to your promise to Lagosians that the infrastructure for the first phase of the Lagos Rail mass Transit Blue Line rail (Marina – Mile 2) would be completed in the last quarter of this year. Lagosians now trust you that you are a man of integrity, and that is why they have asked you to continue the good job in 2023 and beyond.”