Lagos Rail Project

Transportation has been a problem in Lagos State for over 30 years. The mass influx of people into Lagos from the hinterland beginning in 1971 when Nigeria was benefitting from the rise in world oil prices has continued unabated until today. For instance, according to the census of 1991, the population of Lagos was just over 5.7 million and this had grown to over 18 million in 2006 census.

Lagos is one of the fastest growing cities in the world in terms of population and the infrastructure in place has not kept up with this pace of growth. The convenience of communication with the introduction of cell phones reduced the amount of cars on the road slightly because some trips became unnecessary, but there is still an urgent need for augmentation of the current systems of transportation.

The Lagos State Government under Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola has made a huge dent in this problem with the introduction of Lagos Bus Rapid Transit (Lagos BRT) buses on 17th March 2008 but it is still insufficient to solve the Lagos transport problem. The average number of vehicles per kilometer on Nigeria’s roads is 11, but Lagos, has a figure of 224, which goes to show the extent of the crisis.

The administration also introduced the waterway transportation. The routes are to be developed using the Public Private Partnership (PPP), with the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA) representing the state and private investors being in partnership. Priority routes include Ikorodu to Marina; Ebute Ojo to Marina, via Satellite Town and Ijede-Badore to Marina via Lekki and Falomo. This is helping but there is still a lot that can be done.

This is why the mass transit rail system is of particular interest to Governor Fashola. The rail system will ease the transportation woes of Lagosians and provide jobs too. The rail system concept was initially the Metroline project that was conceived by the Jakande administration in 1983. Rather than reinvent the wheel, Governor Fashola has revived the project and made some necessary modifications because of the time lapse and technological advances. The project, now called the Light Rail Project was officially started on 15th May 2007.

The Lagos State administration commitment to the project is a clear evidence of the governor’s intention of keeping all his campaign promises of improving the quality of life of the struggling masses in the state. The Light Rail will run using colour configurations that will assist in distinguishing the different routes. The two colours will be Red and Blue. For instance, the Blue Line will run from Okokomaiko to Marina. The rail system will boost the urban image of Lagos State. And provide at least 4,000 jobs, mostly for Lagosians. CCEC rail construction will be responsible for the development of the project and will train Nigerians to operate the system

Nigerians with experience working abroad in the underground or rail system have also expressed interest in using their expertise and be part of the operational team, which is encouraging in itself. It is also heartening that Lagosians abroad are willing to be part of Governor Fashola’s vision of the new Lagos.