[b]Sources: Punch Newspaper

Awaiting the light rail routes

By Kemi Obasola

Most Lagosians are used to incessant traffic snarls.


But this abnormality will soon give way to the era of an efficient rail system when residents could drop their cars and go by rail to their various destinations.

While some others will make do with the Bus Rapid Transit System, others may feel the motorcycle is the fastest means of transportation.

Some others could wish they always live abroad where the transportation system is more organised.

Lagos residents have learnt to move from one destination to the other with or without an efficient rail system.

But, the state government has said this will soon belong to the past as it will provide a light rail system to complement the BRT and the rejuvenated ferry system.

It was learnt that the ground breaking of the project will come up in August, this year.

The government said the light rail system would dissuade many Lagosians from constant use of public buses and cars on the roads and invariably reduce the dilemma of traffic congestion.

Our correspondent gathered that the state government recently engaged the services of some consultants to carry out a feasibility study on the seven proposed rail routes within the city.

According to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Metropolitan Transport Authority, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, the rail routes will cover Okokomaiko-Marina and Ijoko-Iddo-Marina route (35 kilometres) among others.

Mobereola said, "The Light Rail Mass Transit project being powered on the assistance of the World Bank, is also promising an annual passenger demand of 200 million each.

"It is part of the state government's renewed drive towards ensuring traffic free roads. When implemented, it will help to decongest our roads."

Investigations by our correspondent revealed that arrangements for the implementation of the rail system had gone very far.

A reliable source said, "Already, the state government is at the point of awarding the contract for the blue line- the pilot phase, which runs from Okokomaiko to Eric Moore, Orile Iganmu.

"The government has asked those whose houses will be affected to come to the state government with the necessary papers needed to process their compensation."

According to the source, the state government had already found investors in the area of rolling stock who were ready to ensure the successful implementation of the project.

He said, "We have found investors, although the state government will be responsible for the infrastructure like the terminus, these rolling stock investors will bring the trains since we are partnering with them."

"The state government hopes to implement the project before the end of this tenure in 2011, but time is not a constraint. What is important is for the implementation to begin as soon as possible."

However, the rail lines for the scheme will be different from the ones already in existence.

This was corroborated by Mobereola, who said, "The sum of N70bn has been earmarked for the completion of two rail networks, which will be ready for operation by 2011.

"The two lines are part of the seven rail networks, which LAMATA has prepared for development in the state for effective integrated transport system. The two lines, according to him, will run through Agbado-Iddo-Marina and Ojo/LASU-Okokomaiko-Marina routes.

"The lines will not interfere with the existing or new rail tracks being conceptualised by the Federal Government along the corridors."

In separate interviews, some Lagos motorists said the initiative would help to reduce the traffic gridlock frequently experienced on the roads.

One of them, Mr. Ademola Babatunde, said, "If the light rail system is implemented, then most Lagosians would just drop their cars, this will bring about a lot of change.

"The trains will be able to lift many people at once especially those who have to move from the Mainland to the Island everyday."

At a recent function, the state Governor, Mr.Babatunde Fashola, said, "The construction of the first route of the light rail has the backing of the World Bank and will commence within the planned 2009 budget year,

"The proposed designated routes for immediate implementation of the project include Agbado-Iddo- Marina and the Ojo-Okokomaiko-Marina routes. Others identified for future construction include Marina-Lekki, Ota-Murtala Muhammed Way-Iddo, Redemption Camp-Ojo, Redemption Camp-Marina and Mile 2-Marina[/b]