Sanwo-Olu orders contractor to deliver Red rail line project by December

28 Sep Sanwo-Olu orders contractor to deliver Red rail line project by December

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, directed the contractor handling the multi-million dollar Red Rail Line project to deliver the job by December, 2023.

This came as Sanwo-Olu announced that the much expected inauguration of Yaba and Ikeja-Along Flyovers, component of the Red Rail Line project, would be opened to vehicular movement next month, October, 2023.

Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu has issued a two-day ultimatum to traders along Agege rail line to vacate within two days or be forced to do so.

He warned that the government would no longer condone lawlessness and people trading in places where they are not supposed to.

Sanwo-Olu, accompanied by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, made the remarks on Wednesday, when they led some members of the State Executive Council on an inspection tour of infrastructure components of the ongoing construction of Red Rail Line projects across stations.

Those on the entourage were: Commissioners for Information and Strategy, Environment and Water Resources, Transportation, Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, Tokunbo Wahab, Seun Osiyemi, Ope George, respectively, and Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, Bimbo Akinajo, among others.

While the red rail line has eight major stations – Agbado, Iju, Agege, Ikeja, Mushin, Yaba, Ebute Metta and Iddo/Oyingbo, the trains will use the tracks built by the Federal Government.

It will take a minimum of 1,000 passengers per ride when in full operation.

The first port of call of the project tour which lasted over six hours, was the Lateef Jakande Station, located at Agbado area, within Lagos-Ogun States boundary.

According to the governor, more bridges will be built in conjunction with the Nigeria Railway Corporation, NRC, he added.

Sanwo-Olu, reiterated that “Government is on track to deliver the project before the end of the year,” disclosing that Phase 2 of the Blue Line has been awarded, and hopefully would be completed faster than the first phase, Marina- Mile-2 route.

According to him: “We have seen the state of infrastructure on our Red Rail Line corridor, and we are impressed.

“We are also on track to deliver the project before the end of the year. However, there is still work to be done, especially clearing of illegal structures around the tracks and general clean-up of the axis.