Lagos awards light rail project contract to Chinese firm

Determined to provide an efficient transportation system for Lagos residents, the state government has awarded a contract for the first phase of the Blue Line Light Rail Project to a Chinese construction firm, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation.

The government has already paid N8.05 billion, representing 70 per cent of the contract sum to the Chinese company, to design and build the 27 kilometre project expected to run from Okokomaiko to Marina.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), disclosed this on Tuesday while delivering a key note address at an annual lecture put together by Punuka Attorneys and Solicitors.

The theme of this year’s lecture was: The prospect of infrastructural development in Nigeria-Using the Lagos Light Rail as a case Study.”

Fashola, who was represented by the Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority, Mr. Dayo Mabereola, revealed that the challenge of providing efficient transportation for the over 18 million residents of the state was one of the cardinal objectives of his administration when it came to power in May 2007.

He said, “Early in the life of our administration, we realised the need to explore the prospect of developing other modes of transportation other than road to enable us provide a means of moving large number of commuters within the state.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art2010041318224814

The government has already paid N8.05 billion, representing 70 per cent of the contract sum to the Chinese company, to design and build the 27 kilometre project expected to run from Okokomaiko to Marina.

^^^
There is no way 8.05 billion can be 70% of the cost of this project. I thought this project was to cost close to a hundred billion Naira.
Abi these Chinese people wan construct tracks when go pack up in  2 weeks, just like that missing satelite they sold to Nigeria.
Or is it punch newspapers that can't get the figure right?

It is possible the report itself is to blame for the incongruity here.

This definitely sounds good for Lagos. Who knows maybe this one will actually work,

PapaBrowne:

^^^
There is no way 8.05 billion can be 70% of the cost of this project. I thought this project was to cost close to a hundred billion Naira.
Abi these Chinese people wan construct tracks when go pack up in  2 weeks, just like that missing satelite they sold to Nigeria.
Or is it punch newspapers that can't get the figure right?

If I am not going to be misinforming you, I actually think it's the purchase of locomtives that constitute the bulk of railway infrastructure cost and not the tracks themselves,

This is a good news for Lagosians.

Is it oing to run on electricity, coal, or steam?

If it's the 1st, then they ougt to get Power right first.

Another way to steal the money.

A good development but will be powered by fresh air?

Power driven? Then get ready for the drama!!

otokx:

Another way to steal the money.

What can one ever do to satisfy people like you?

Lagos is the place to be in the next 5 years !

A good news for all lagos resident
FASHOLA, you are the best man for the Job
FASHOLA for president, 2011
EKO ONI BAJE OOOO

Why do people always think when someone brings a project, it becomes a way to steal money?
@OP, this will reduce road traffic n people will make less expenses on transportation. Thank God o!

otokx:

Another way to steal the money.

d most important tin is dat smtn is being done. wat abt those dat steals nd don't av anytn 2 show in terms of developments after their tenure except their fat bank accounts. Am nt saying he is innocent bt d fact still ramains dat he is doing smtn dat will go a long way in relieving lagosians.
_{If completed}

wait until it is completed and running before we start shouting eureka.

This is a good development for over stressed Lagos traffic, but I think an even more important route is Antony/ Ojuelegba to Marina. I don't understand the Okokomaiko route (except it was done with Seme / Alaba traders in mind).

That will be interesting if done.

Its great that the state is doing stuff  like this. it'll be so cool and practical if it gets to work and that is if its done "well and right". it will create loads of jobs, generate revenue revenue for the state. it'll propel lagos into a level of development which its meant to have achieved decades ago.


I wonder how the state is going to create power (electricity) to run it?

bodsibobo:

Is it oing to run on electricity, coal, or steam?

If it's the 1st, then they ougt to get Power right first.

light rail = tram = metro= Mainly electricity but several systems in Europe, as well as a few recently-opened systems in North America use diesel-powered trains

Great idea and plans hope its completed. But why a chinese company ? why not a german company ? germans are known to build one of the worlds most solid rail tracks, and railway trains that will last decades.The overhead bridges they built over 30yrs ago in lagos still dey kampe.

chinese rail tracks might be cheap but will wash away and wear out soon.

sceptics as usual.

@knowall


What a comparison? Anyone wise will know better.

What a comparison? Anyone wise will know better.



Let’s call a spade a spade, what is worth doing well is worth doing very well not some sham job. Fashola has too many follow-follow cronies in NL, it is unbelievable.

[size=13pt]Good development for lagos state[/size]

Lucky Lagos to have someone like Fashola.

otokx:

Another way to steal the money.

How I wish my state governor (and other governors) will do all the stealing and do a tent of what obtains in Lagos in term of development.
ABIANS WAKEUP!!!

How I wish my state governor (and other governors) will do all the stealing and do a tent of what obtains in Lagos in term of development.
ABIANS WAKEUP!!!


The problem is we pray 50,000 Lagosians on a jolly good ride home on one of this jankara trains don’t end up inside the lagoon from this cowboys from china

[size=14pt]But I must admit it is the right development in the right direction provided everything works well, [/size]

@poster/moderator,

Please assist in posting this news report and source on the thread 'What is happening on the Badagry axis?' in the properties section.

Thanks.

KnowAll:

The problem is we pray 50,000 Lagosians on a jolly good ride home on one of this jankara trains don’t end up inside the lagoon from this cowboys from china

The foremost companies in China are developing a track record for improved and cheaper facilities as evidenced by the following major contracts a simple search on google would bring up:

1) China Railway Construction Gets Libyan Railway Contract (http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2140511/)

2) US High-Speed Rail: China To Bid On Projects (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/13/us-highspeed-rail-china-t_n_497854.html)
this includes these lines "China produces high-speed trains using French, German and Japanese technology. Its manufacturers have developed a homegrown version but have yet to produce a commercial model.

Chinese rail authorities have signed cooperation memos with California and Russia and state companies plan to bid on a line in Brazil linking Rio de Janeiro with Sao Paulo, Wang said. He said Saudi Arabia and Poland also have expressed interest."

3) China Railway secures $4.8bn Indonesian coal line contract (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/831c4220-3876-11df-aabd-00144feabdc0.html)

This includes these lines "China's state rail groups have been winning rail projects across the world, including in the Middle East, south-east Asia, Latin America, Africa and Australia."

The Chinese may not have the years of experience but the truth is they are sitting on their butts waiting for a miracle to happen to improve their expertise.

Not inferring that this contract would be similar to the above-listed but have we studied the contract details. Do we as individuals intend to liaise and monitor the project as it goes on to ensure it meets the contract specifications?

It'd be better to read the contract details first before coming up here to discredit the project offhand.

Before the construction of the IPP solely to power the waterworks, I bet it would have been thought that diesel would have been used. Not holding brief for Fashola or LASG, just think constructive criticism based on facts would suffice.