Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said the Red and Blue rail line projects would be ready for use by the first quarter of 2023.
Sanwo-Olu, who inspected the project sites yesterday, expressed satisfaction with the level of work done. According to him, the contractors are happy to do the job because the government has met its obligations to them.
The sites visited were Ikeja, Yaba, Ebute-Metta, Oyingbo and Marina.
The governor also said students of the Lagos State University (LASU); University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) would have the opportunity to get hands-on experience because of the government’s agreement with the contractors on proper skills transfer.
He said: “We are excited because of the number of Nigerians working here. I think here in Marina alone, we have over 1,000 workers.
“Part of the things we have been telling our contractors is that we need to have proper skills transfer. We will be working with LASU, UNILAG and Yabatech so our students of Engineering will have a feel of what rail construction is all about.
“Our contract will take them as interns so they will see how things are done in real time when it comes to road, bridge and rail construction.
“There are few hiccups but we believe we will surmount them. So we are still on track, and by the last quarter of 2022 or first quarter of 2023, you will begin to see trains moving on these two corridors.
“We started our journey midway from the Ikeja iconic station where we saw the construction of the overpass which will ease vehicular movement.
“Leaving Ikeja, we couldn’t take a detour into Mushin so we went straight to Yaba where we saw the overpass which will cross into Tejuoso. The station there is also going on as scheduled.
“From there, we went to Ebute-Metta and saw the station and overpass, making it the third. It’s also advancing well.
“And you must know that the Red Line will terminate at Ebute-Metta but there will be an extension up to Iddo.
“After this, we crossed to the Blue Line. We have built a sea wall to preserve the water bed in that area. Work is also going on as scheduled.
“Finally is the very iconic and unique Marina Station, which is an elevated station. The decking work has started, and there is also a pedestrian walk for people with disabilities.
“Underneath will be bus stations for BRT and First and the Last line buses. There will also be ferry services adjoining the Marina Station, which will move up to the State House. That is the summary of the massive architecture that is going on.”
