GOVERNOR Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State tested the Lagos Red Line on Saturday, ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s commissioning of the project next week.
The Lagos State Governor also examined the lines and rail corridors. Governor Sanwo-Olu inspected several comfort facilities, including the train’s cooling system, handrails, cushioned seats, and waggon safety elements.
Today, I was at Ikeja Train Station for a critical test run of the brand-new trains devoted 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.”
The entourage included Sanwo-Olu’s deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, and members of the state government.
Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu (left), talks with LAMATA’s Managing Director, Engr. (Mrs) Abimbola Akinajo, during the Red Line Train’s test run at Ikeja Train Station on Saturday, February 24, 2024. Photo: Lagos State.
President Tinubu will launch the 37-kilometre rail line built by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), as well as its stations and other facilities. The Red Line runs through seven stops, from Agbado, a border village in Ogun State, to Oyingbo in Lagos Central.
