Sanwo-Olu: We’re discussing with Ogun govt over extension of rail line to Agbara

.As Gov hints on arrival of two trains in October

IBRAHIM QUADRI

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu said there are plans to discuss with his Ogun State counterpart, Dapo Abiodun, on extending the Blue line rail project to Agbara from Okokomaiko.

Sanwo-Olu disclosed this on Wednesday at the celebration of the launch of the last T-beam for the blue line rail mass transit project. He added that the two trains bought in China for the project would arrive Lagos in October.

The Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line project is a 27-kilometre rail line from Marina to Okokomaiko.

The first 13-kilometre stretch of the rail from Mile 2 to Marina under construction is divided into four phases to enable government fund their construction.

To get to this point, the contractor had completed 1967 pile foundations, 306 platforms, 310 piers, 267 cover beams, fabrication and erection of 984 T beams.

The governor said that his administration is committed to the citizens to see that the project is completed on time, especially as it will continue to meet deadlines.

He further said that his administration are on a journey and not just making promises but working to ensure that the trains’ commercial operation start in the first quarter of 2023 as earlier promised.

For the governor, the launch of the last T-beam is historical because it signposts that the blue rail line project would be delivered on schedule.

According to Sanwo-Olu, the T-beam that was launched on Wednesday was the 984th T-beam for the Blue line rail project.

On phase II of the Blue Line which will start from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko, the Governor stated that discussions are ongoing on the need to extend it to Agbara in Ogun State.

In her welcome address, the MD of LAMATA, Engr. Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo said “the construction of the Blue line has been one of the most difficult projects the Lagos State Government has embarked upon given the many challenges we have had to overcome.

“To get to this point, we have had disturbances and delays in the relocation of submarine cables, submarine natural gas pipelines, and removal of underground ship wreckages. The submarine geological conditions are complex, thus making construction in the lagoon extremely difficult.

“On a number of times, barges have collided with the trestle supporting our construction activities while the outbreak of Covid19 epidemic, and the long transportation cycle of imported equipment and materials have contributed to delays in the prompt completion of the rail project.

“Today’s final T beam launch, therefore, indicates that we are gradually inching to the completion of the civil infrastructure for the first four phases of the Blue line from Mile 2 to Marina.”

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@