Harboursandport. com: Lagos --- Lagos State Government has signed a major agreement with a French firm on the Lagos Rail Mass Transit, LRMT, project, as part of measures to intensify the multi-modal transport system in the state aimed at decongesting the roads.
Meantime, the state government said the Marina to Mile-2 section of the project known as the Blue Line Rail, would now be ready for passenger operation by 2022.
Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, Mr. Abiodun Dabiri, who signed on behalf of the State Government, said the partnership was in realization of the of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode administration’s commitment to deliver a multi-modal transport system and transform the state’s public transportation landscape with the view to moving it closer to the achievement of the first integrated and multi-modal transport system in Nigeria.
Dabiri who said the rail project had been hampered by unforeseen third party issues that led to a comprehensive review of the rail project, explained that the state government had earlier engaged consultant to carry out a technical review and due diligence on the implementation of the project.
He added that the report was later passed to the French firm, with over 100 years of railway experience covering 60 countries to review the report of the consultants where it was agreed that the first phase of the rail project could only become operational in 2022 based on proposed funding pattern.
“A consortium of experts was engaged by the State Government to undertake a technical due diligence on the LRMT Blue Line Project (Mile 2–Marina) had developed a roadmap which was accepted by the State Government to bring the railway project to passenger operations.
“On completion, the rail projects would reduce congestion and pressure on the roads which will lessen maintenance cost and increase the life span of road network, promote modal shift as private car owners and public bus commuters will move towards the use of rail as a safer, more convenient option. It will also enhance quality of life and reduce pollution on many road transport corridors,” Dabiri stated.
According to him, “Based on the final report submitted, the consortium of French firm has been engaged for the procurement, engineering, construction, installation of Operation and Maintenance (O&M) moveable infrastructure and commissioning of railway systems towards the commencement of passenger operations for LRMT Blue Line project from Marina to Mile 2.”
While highlighting the extent of works to be carried out by the firm, Dabiri said for ease of implementation, the work plan had been divided into two phases, with phase one aimed at demonstrating the non-public operation of the existing rolling stock before end of second quarter of 2019.
He said: “For this purpose, a track length of about 3.0 km from Iganmu Station to National Theatre will be electrified. This operation would be done with the rolling stocks already supplied for the Blue Line project.
“This phase would allow the completion of all the preliminary works that would lead to the financing of the main works in Phase two. Phase one will be fully financed by Lagos State Government through Internally Generated Revenue, IGR.
“Phase two, which is expected to be completed in 39 months, would entail the provision and installation of railway operations’ systems for the project from Marina to Mile 2 and the delivery of a passenger-ready Lagos Blue Rail Line by 2022.”
Dabiri, therefore, appealed to businesses and residents to trust Ambode’s administration to bring the Blue Rail Line to passenger operation by paying their taxes since the rail project is solely financed by the state government through its IGR.
Responding, Mr. Guy Jean-Pierre, a Director in the firm, thanked the state government for the confidence reposed in the firm, and assured that the firm would work to ensure the delivery of the Blue Line to passenger operation by bringing on board required expertise and experience in rail system management.
Source: Vanguard Newspaper
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