The Lagos State Government has revealed that the Lagos Blue Rail Line is the only rail line in Africa that was built across a water body.
This is in reaction to what the insinuation made by some uninformed people who were comparing the cost of the Blue Rail Line with that of Djibouti, Ethiopia Rail Line with allegations of corruption.
This was made known by the Lagos State Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, during an interview on a Lagos Television programme, Morning Delight, on Wednesday, where he spoke on the cost implication of the Blue Rail Line, among other issues.
Omotosho said piling had to be done during the construction of the Lagos Blue Rail Line, noting that this was not the situation with the Djibouti Rail Line which is not on an elevated platform like Blue Rail.
- He said, “So, the cost, the equipment and expertise deployed must be different.’
Declaring that it was preposterous for people to just make such a comparison and allege corruption in building the rail line. Omotoso admonished the public commentators to seek knowledge and research into matters of interest before they go to the public domain to make false statements about issues that they have little or no knowledge about.
Red Rail Line test run slated for December 2023
The Commissioner averred that with the commissioning of the Yaba and Oyingbo overpass by Mr. Governor, the Red Line has become a reality, adding that the rail is expected to be ready for a test run in December, 2023.
- He said, “It is bigger than the Blue Line and capable of moving over one million people per day. The travel time from Oyingbo to Alagbado which takes an average of three to four hours today will be reduced to a maximum of 35 minutes.’’
Fourth Mainland Bridge project to create 5,000 engineering jobs
Omotosho disclosed that a contractor has been selected for the construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge project which will take huge traffic off the first, second and third mainland bridges thereby reducing travel time for motorists.
He added that the project will also create about 5000 jobs for young engineers and train students on how such infrastructure is built while properties along the project corridor are expected to appreciate geometrically.
He also maintained that the programmes of the administration of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu are people-focused, adding that the THEMES Plus agenda is about programmes that the people can feel, relate with, have a sense of belonging and the government is committed to their success.
He noted that in the spirit of inclusiveness, many youths are in the executive council of Lagos State and that most programmes of the administration are targeted at the youths who form 60 per cent of Lagos population.
- Omotoso said, “A lot of investment has been committed to building eight stadia at the same time, a science and technology hub that has placed Lagos in the forefront of Tech hub in Africa. The State has trained more than 6000 youths in acting, script writing and editing to make films and benefit from the huge and expanding world entertainment industry. The building of the Film City in Epe is targeted at developing the potentials of the youth population”.
This is the time to think and plan another blue line alongside 4th mainland bridge.
Truth be told.. although I criticized the delay of the project all these years and know of course there were different forms of corruption..the Lagos State Government is telling the truth about the metro rail line and being the only rail in Africa built over a body of water. I have being in this metro twice from Marina to Surulere and back to Marina a few days later and it’s actually awesome. I only hope it is maintained and the service improved.
Although Lagos is corrupt too at least it’s doing the needful hopefully the film city should be completed faster we have a lot of youth with untapped potential in the entertainment industry as we could see from afrobeats alone if it’s planned well then Nollywood is going to another level
If there was an allegations of corrupt practice against the construction of the blue line rail, the most appropriate way to dispel it by the Lagos state government is to tell Lagosians how much they have expended on it so far. Nothing of such has come out from the spokeman of the governor or the governor himself. People in government should stop behaving as if they’re doing us a favour. You were elected to hold Fort for the majority: government of the people by the people and for the people. It is people’s right to know how their money is being spent. Is that too much to ask? Having said that, we appreciate what you’re doing and we pray, God the Almighty shall continue to guide, protect you and bless you with the wisdom to always make the right decisions.