BEYOND BLUE, RED TO GREEN RAIL LINES

The Green rail Line will redefine public transport in Lagos, reckons THOMPSON EFERAKEYA 

When Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, returns from the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), in China, simply called the 2024 Beijing Summit, he will land with what promises to further set Lagos State as a sub-national, far apart from its peers. 

During the summit which was held from September 4 – 6, 2024, Governor Sanwo-Olu took the bold and courageous step to add to the ever improving integrated transportation solution for Lagos State by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Chinese company on a Green Rail Line for the good and comfort of the residents of the state. 

The tripartite MoU signed on Thursday, September 5, involves the Lagos State Government, Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC). At the centre of the MoU is the Green Line Rail Project for Lagos.

This is another step towards upscaling the popular and fast growing demand for a faster, better, more convenient, more secured and friendly means of transportation within the metropolis. 

With an already existing Blue Line running west-ward from the Marina and a Red Line running north-ward, also from the Marina, the idea of a Green Line running east-ward from the Marina can only be seen as a fitting complement to existing rail structures in the state. 

 Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Olawale Edun; Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Olufemi Daramola; Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Abimbola Akinajo, and other top officials of the federal government and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), witnessed the signing of the MoU during the summit. 

The Ministry of Finance Incorporated and China Harbour Engineering Company, according to the MoU, will source the funding to design, finance, operate and maintain the project. 

When completed, the Green Line Rail Project, will be an addition to the already existing Blue and Red Line rails, commuting thousands of residents on a daily basis.

Speaking after signing the MoU, an elated Governor Sanwo-Olu said the Green Line Rail will redefine public transportation and significantly transform the Lagos State transport landscape, linking key areas like Victoria Island, Lekki, Ajah, and more. In his words: “Today, we signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to bring the ambitious Green Line Rail project to life. 

“The Green Line is a 68km rail line designed to run from the Lekki Free Zone to Marina, connecting with the Blue Line at Marina. This new line will transform our transport landscape, linking key areas like Victoria Island, Lekki, Ajah, and more. 

“This rail line is projected to carry over 500,000 passengers daily at launch, rising to over a million as demand grows. With the Ministry of Finance Incorporated and CHEC leading the design, financing, and operation, the Green Line will redefine public transport in Lagos. 

“The Green Line complements our existing rail lines, including the Red Line, which has already begun partial operations. Together, these lines form the backbone of our Strategic Transport Master plan, designed to create a fast, efficient, and connected Lagos.” 

 The signing of the MoU on the Green Rail Line coincided with the state’s celebration of the one-year anniversary of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line. The Blue Line has served an estimated two million passengers without any major disruptions. 

This is a strong pointer to the fact that the state can conveniently manage more of such infrastructure. Official records have it that in August 2024, the Blue Line increased its daily trips from 54 to 72. The Blue Line has reduced commuting time between Marina and Mile 2 from 30 to 18 minutes. 

 Rail transportation must be appreciated for what it is — comfortable, secure, fast and mass movement at a single trip act as essential catalysts for economic growth by connecting communities. Ultimately, it enhances the quality of life for millions. This is the very beauty of the steps taken by Lagos State government in investing in rail transportation. 

From all indications, it looks like Governor Sanwo-Olu is just warming up to get down into the arena in service delivery for Lagosians. Hear him again: “This is Lagos, and we will continue to lead. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support and endorsement of this project. His commitment not only reflects his dedication to our shared vision but also serves as a powerful catalyst for its success.”

The Green Rail Line, which will connect with the Blue Line at Marina, is designed to run from the iconic Marina Station through Victoria Island, Lekki Phase 1, Ajah, Lekki 2, Ogombo, Elepetu, Eluju, Lekki Airport and Lekki Free Trade Zone. The whole of the Lekki-Epe corridor is about to experience something really fantastic. 

Sanwo-Olu’s participation in the recent 2024 Beijing Summit can be said to be a right step in the right direction as he grabbed the opportunities presented by the various themes of industrialization, agricultural advancements, security, and cooperation regarding China’s Belt and Road initiative – a massive project aiming to link several continents to China with physical infrastructure.

According to China’s foreign ministry, the official summit theme is “Joining Hands to Advance Modernisation and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future”. Lagos, under the able leadership of Babajide Sanwo-Olu is on the right path.

… Eferakeya writes from Lagos