Lagos Red Line leap towards unrivaled urban mobility — Gov Sanwo-Olu

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had marked a historic milestone as he inaugurated the much-anticipated Red Line Rail, signaling a significant leap forward in the city’s pursuit of unparalleled urban mobility.

Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed his visionary approach, emphasizing that the project goes beyond mere infrastructure development, envisioning a connected future for Lagos.

The Red Line Rail, spanning 37 kilometers from Agbado in Ogun State to Oyingbo in Lagos State, was completed in an impressive 30 months, showcasing both engineering prowess and unwavering determination. The governor expressed his gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for commissioning the project, acknowledging his pivotal role in supporting and leading the progress.

Governor Sanwo-Olu outlined the primary objective of the Red Line Rail – to unlock over 4 trillion Naira annually by addressing the issue of lost work hours due to traffic congestion. The rail line is projected to initially serve 500,000 Lagosians daily, with plans to increase this number to 750,000, providing a crucial complement to the existing Blue Line and significantly easing daily commutes.

In a bid to enhance the overall transport network, Governor Sanwo-Olu revealed that last month, the state secured additional rolling stock for both the Blue and Red lines, set to arrive later this year. Contracts have also been signed to connect these lines, promising increased network capacity and improved connectivity.

The Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line features eight strategically located stations, including prominent hubs such as Ikeja, Oshodi, and Yaba, seamlessly integrating with existing transport networks and offering a smoother experience for millions of commuters.

Acknowledging the groundwork laid by his predecessors, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, and Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed gratitude for their contributions to the project’s success. He also thanked the Governors of Ekiti, Ogun, Kogi, Borno, Imo, and NGF Chairman, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for their presence and support at the inauguration ceremony.

Highlighting the readiness of Lagosians for a smarter, interconnected city, Governor Sanwo-Olu mentioned that over 4.2 million residents have already embraced Cowry cards, a testament to the success of integrating road, marine, and rail transport into a single, efficient system.

Governor Sanwo-Olu concluded by reaffirming the commitment to the Strategic Transport Master Plan, which outlines an ambitious blueprint for Lagos’ transport future, including six rail lines, a monorail, 14 BRT corridors, over 20 water routes, and an extensive road network. With two rail lines completed, the governor emphasized that Lagos is just getting started, acknowledging the instrumental role of LAMATA’s leadership and commitment in bringing the visionary transport plans to life.

Finally, Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed his deepest gratitude to every Lagosian for their support and belief in the vision for a more connected and efficient city, stating that together, they are not just moving forward but redefining urban transformation across Africa. The governor urged the people of Lagos to continue advancing and shaping the future of the city.