Blue Line rail: Sanwo-Olu affirms commencement of train service in Q1 2023

 

 

 .State to sanction vandals, those patronising barricade

 

IBRAHIM QUADRI

 

 

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sunday took a two and a half hours tour of the ongoing construction of the Blue Line Rail, noting that the deadline for operational service of first quarter of 2023 is sacrosanct.

 

Sanwo-Olu had early this year embarked on the Red Line inspection and made a promise that trains would start operating on the two lines early next year.

 

Speaking at the Marina Station after Sunday’s inspection, the Governor expressed satisfaction with the level of construction so far, saying additional trains are to be procured for speedy commencement.

 

He however warned the residents who have started vandalizing some of the iron barricades, saying they would have to be cautious as the tracks are electric.

 

The Governor added that unlike the Red Line along Ikeja, Alagbado to Marina axis, the Blue Line from Marina to Mile 2 would be electric and citizens including passengers are not expected to walk on the tracks.

 

He added that in the course of enforcement of sactions, the law enforcement officers would trail the culprits up to the companies patronizing the vandals, saying if they were not patronizing them, it would be difficult to sell the stolen materials.

 

Sanwo-Olu said, “We started our journey from the National Art Theatre. We were on tracks from Orile-Iganmu to Alaba Station and to Mile 2 Station and we were all taking round the Stations which we called concourse.

 

“At the Iganmu Station, it is just one but Alaba and Mile 2 are double Stations. Finally, we took the train back to National Art Theatre where we all inspected a brand new train and that is a typical train that will be used on the blue line. This is the first time I’m taking you on the blue line to the see where we are.

 

“The blue line terminates at Marina, at the back in Marina, it is an elevated Station and it streches out to outer Marina and where the Governor’s residence is, it is where it terminates. At the end of the Station, you could see that the track is broken into two bridges. Why we have to have the back track is for parking.”

 

The Governor warned vandals against destroying of the barricades, saying that enforcement would be energized.

 

He said, “The next major activity on the blue line is what we called third rail. The rail is powered, it will be activated in this rail track. The blue, for emphasis will be running on EMU which is an electric motor vehicles, so they need to have power on the rail tracks.

 

“So that is where we have to have a lot of advocacy and information onto the citizens especially where the Orile Station up to Mile 2. They are at the ground level that is electric. We have wired off all the alignments but our citizens have started breaking the wires, we will go back for enforcement.

 

“When the tracks start, they are going to be running on electric. Citizens and passengers cannot walk on those tracks. You have that responsibility till the next six months, that those tracks are not like the red line. Red line is DMV, the blue line is EMV.

 

“We are happy that the contractors are working seven days a week. The major aspect, apart from the Marina Station is a sea crossing from Eko Bridge to join outer Marina. They have to finish it in about three months.

 

“By the time we will be coming back in July, the concrete construction shouid have been completed. It will just be finishing inside the train Stations and the terminal buildings.

 

“I’m also happy that additional trains we have purchased. We will be going to China in May or June just to have a look. Based on the promises that we gave you, the Red and the Blue Lines, we have a lot to clean up and a lot of retooling and fencing, we are on track and more importantly, the third rail which is the power tracks and it will be done and I’m happy you have been able to go on the journey with us. It was an experience which I believe it will be with you for a very long time.”