There are many ways to describe Lagos; metropolitan, unique, dynamic, the commercial centre of Nigeria and so on – but one characteristic that many people identify with this city is the “crazy traffic”.

So, it was with glee and high expectations that Lagosians and Nigerians alike greeted the news that the Lagos state light rail would finally commence operations in December 2016 as stressed by the Governor of the state, Akinwummi Ambode, at a forum earlier in the year.

The Lagos light rail project started as far back as 2006 and was scheduled to start service by the first quarter of 2014 after the contract was awarded in 2008, before a new timeline of 2016 for Phase I, yet it has been revealed by the Governor that the project will not commence as planned.

Factors that have contributed to this delay have been attributed to cost, which is has raised a few eyebrows because the Lagos state government had insisted that it was committed to the project – a loan of $200 million had earlier been secured from the World Bank. Governor Ambode had also said that the project was driven by commercial loans and bonds leaning on the state’s Internally Generated Revenue.

The Lagos Rail Mass Transit is a system being developed and being sponsored by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and expected to have seven lines making transportation easier and improving development in the state.
The lines are: Blue (Okokomaiko to Marina) – 27km, Red (Agbado to Marina via Iddo and Murtala Mohammed International Airport) – 31km, Red extension (to local and international wings of the Airport) – 6km, Green (Marina to proposed Lekki Airport) – 26km, Yellow (Otta to Iddo) – 34km, Purple (Redemption Camp to Ojo) – 60km, Orange (Redemption Camp to Marina) – 42km and Brown (Mile 12 to Marina) – 20km. The Blue and Red Lines have been identified as priority routes.

A tale of delays:
In 2008, the contract was awarded to Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) at the cost of $1.2 billion and a completion deadline set for 2011. With little accomplished, June 2013 was set as the completion date by former Governor Babatunde Fashola, but that failed. 2014 was subsequently set but the project still fell through. As it stands, only 16km have been completed out of the 27km for the Blue line.

There were high expectations that the line would be completed but hope is a fragile thing and many are highly doubtful if the project would ever be completed given the economic recession and the fallen value of the naira in the global market.

The multi-billion naira light rail project of the Lagos State Government in some ways is a reflection of how capital public projects are handled in Nigeria – after pompous launching ceremonies and promises, very little is achieved. It is important to stress that value for money and the public procurement economy of Nigeria’s yearly appropriations are reduced by about 40 percent. Inflated project costs affect implementation and delivery, and at the end, public office holders move on to other political aspirations, leaving the populace unsatisfied.

The traffic situation is Lagos is difficult, and in transit, one comes across commuters with stories of how it isn’t getting any easier. Lagos may be termed the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria and on a broader scale, Africa, but if factors such as lost productivity as a result of traffic jams are not addressed effectively with projects such as the light rail, the title might as well be a statement.

Blue3k:
I remember reading it was supposed to be read from multiple sources. Then I see people celebratin foot bridges like the forgot about this project. Any idea when it will be completed because I read some of you invested in the bonds for the project.

Links: http://www.constructafrica.com/news/lagos-light-rail-blue-line-set-december-2016-completion

http://punchng.com/lagos-light-rail-ready-in-december-ambode/

https://www.today.ng/news/nigeria/125188/lagos-complete-light-rail-project-december

http://www.thebusinessdispatch.com/december-knocking-where-is-the-lagos-light-rail/

Horus:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmtRF4lyOjs

Chinese construction company builds a light railway in Nigerian capital

The light rail running through Lagos downtown is expected to relieve the heavy burden on the city's fragile road network, with the help of a Chinese construction company.

Blue3k:


Source: http://venturesafrica.com/december-knocking-where-lagos-light-rail/

Corrinthians:
Where is the pit latrine the governor of your village promissed you people in 2016?

Keep obcessing over other people's business.

Blue3k:


Lol your tears amuse me. Keep making excuses for incompetent behavior. You guys are butt hurt over simple observation.

Corrinthians:
You should worry more and observe more the pathological crooks you have as governors in your landlocked village.

Blue3k:


Assuming people or igbo because your tribalistic troll. I see why your so willing to makede excuse for incompetent behavior. Please shill harder it's your father's tax money. I doubt you have money to buy bonds since you're just entered new you've entered your year dumber. Anyway keep up the Autistic replies I need a laugh.

najoke:
Relax. ..there is an ongoing litigation issues btw LASG and the owners of a rig in Marina obstructing where the rail will pass.
As I said relax. ....we will bookmark this thread and call you and Lasgidi haters when we are done

byrron:


[s]Someone asked a question about a missed deadline for the completion of a project as advertised and that automatically makes him and others asking same questions as las whatever haters?

How will Nigeria ever find it's way out of the abyss with this type of orientation?[/s]

najoke:

Are you offended. .......Guess you are a LASGIDI hater then

byrron:


This is a new year pls and it's pretty too early to start constituting e-nuisance.

najoke:

I totally agree with you. .......happy new dude.
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