Lagos Rail Line to commence passenger operation in 2022
The Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line Rail project has received a new lease following an agreement with Alstom SA of France to bring the mass transit project to passenger operation in 2022.
Following a comprehensive review of the rail project, which ought to have commenced passenger operation but had been hindered by unforeseen third party issues and other challenges, the Lagos State government disclosed that the Marina to Mile 2 section of the project would be ready for passenger operation by 2022.
The State Government had engaged consultants to carry out a technical review and due diligence on the implementation of the project, which substantially had focussed on civil works, and reported back to government that operation of the first phase may only commence in 2022.
Following the report, Alstom SA France, who are experienced international railway systems aggregator and rolling stocks manufacturer, with over 100 years of railway experience covering 60 countries, was engaged to review the report of the consultant. Alstom SA agreed with the submission of the consultant that the first phase of the rail project could only become operational in 2022 based on proposed funding pattern.
At the signing of the agreement, Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Engr. Abiodun Dabiri, who signed on behalf of the Lagos State Government disclosed that the agreement was the result of the commitment of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode towards the transformation of public transportation in the State.
He said that a consortium of experts engaged by the state government to undertake a technical due diligence on the LRMT Blue Line Project (Mile 2 – Marina) developed a roadmap which was accepted by the State Government to bring the railway project to passenger operations.
The consortium, according to Engr. Dabiri, in its final report outlined their findings and proposed a road map to complete the civil infrastructure works and the Operation & Maintenance (O&M) infrastructure that will be needed for the commencement of passenger operation.
He stated that based on the final report submitted, “the consortium of Alstom Transport SA France has been engaged for the procurement, engineering, construction, installation of operation & Maintenance (O&M) moveable infrastructure and commissioning of railway systems towards the commencement of passenger operations for LRMT Blue Line project from Marina to Mile 2.”
While highlighting the extent of works to be carried out by Alstom SA, Engr. Dabiri disclosed that for ease of implementation, the work plan had been divided into two phases.
Phase one, he said, was aimed at demonstrating the non-public operation of the existing rolling stock before end of second quarter of 2019.
“For this purpose, a track length of about 3.0 km from Iganmu station to National Theatre will be electrified. This operation would be done with the rolling stocks already supplied for the Blue Line project. This phase would allow the completion of all the preliminary works that would lead to the financing of the main works in Phase two. Phase one will be fully financed by Lagos State Government through Internally Generated Revenue (IGR),” he stated.
Phase two, which is expected to be completed in 39 months would entail the provision and installation of railway operations’ systems for the project from Marina to Mile 2 and the delivery of a passenger ready Lagos Blue Rail Line by 2022.
Engr. Dabiri explained that the current efforts of Governor Ambode’s administration on the rail project was to bring to fruition the state government’s commitment to deliver a multi-modal transport system for the state and transform the State’s public transportation landscape and move it closer to the achievement of the first integrated and multi-modal transport system in Nigeria.
On completion, the rail projects would reduce congestion and pressure on the roads which will lessen maintenance cost and increase the life span of road network, promote modal shift as private car owners and public bus commuters will move towards the use of rail as a safer, more convenient option. It will also enhance quality of life and reduce pollution on many road transport corridors.
Engr. Dabiri appealed to businesses and Lagosians to trust the Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration to bring the Blue Rail Line to passenger operation by paying their taxes since the rail project is solely finance by the state government through its internally generated revenue.
“We had highlighted earlier that what we are doing currently to bring the rail project to passenger operation would be funded through Internally Generated Revenue. This is your project; it is designed to ease the movement of Lagosians, it is designed to improve and increase our competitiveness in the comity of smart cities, it is designed to improve our lifestyle and regenerate our environment. Let us support it” Engr. Dabiri admonished.
Mr. Guy Jean-Pierre, a Director of Alstom SA in his comment thanked the Lagos State Government for the confidence reposed in the firm and the opportunity given to partner with the State on the Blue Line Rail project.
He assured that Alstom would work to ensure the delivery of the Blue Line to passenger operation by bringing on board required expertise and experience in rail system management.
For more information, please contact:
Kolawole Ojelabi
Assistant Director, Corporate Communication
Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA)
LAMATA PLACE,
KM 15, Ikorodu Road,
Ketu-Ojota Cloverleaf Interchange, Ketu, Lagos
Tel: +234-803-855-6452, 809-449-9138
Email: kojelabi@lamata-ng.com
Website: www.lamata-ng.com