4th September, 2023
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Monday kicked off the inaugural commercial operations of the Blue Line Rail system in Marina.
The governor clocked in at about 9:07am this morning to join the Train from Marina to Mile 2 and back to Marina with other passengers.
Watch video below:
Speaking earlier at an interactive session with journalists, Sanwo-Olu urged residents to purchase the Cowry card to be able to make use of the facility, while also warning against pedestrian crossing of the rail track which is electrically powered.
Some of the passengers who spoke with our correspondent, expressed their gratitude to the Sanwo-Olu administration for ensuring the completion of the project.
The Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Hamzat; Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abimbo Salu-Hudeyin; Managing Director, Lagos Area Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA), Abimbola Akinajo, body of Permanent Secretaries, among others were present.
The Blue Line Rail system is managed by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA). The railway equipment, including electric power, signals, rolling stock, and fare collection equipment were provided by the private sector under a concession contract.
LAMATA is responsible for policy direction, regulation, and infrastructure for the network. The first section of the network, Phase I of the Blue Line, was originally planned to be completed in 2011, though the construction has suffered many delays caused by shortage of funds and change of government.
In February 2021, the Lagos State Government announced that the Blue and Red Lines would be open by December 2022, but it was unveiled by former President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2023. Commercial operations kicked off on the 4th September, 2023.