Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has officially launched the historic Red Rail Line train service’s full commercial operations.
Sanwo-Olu, who boarded the train on Tuesday at 5:20 PM and stopped at Ikeja at 5:55 PM, stressed that the Red Line, designed to carry 500,000 passengers daily at full capacity, will significantly improve commuting in the state.
The Red Line was inaugurated on February 29 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Sanwo-Olu stated that the government will continue to increase the frequency of train services to meet demand.
“Today marks the launch of commercial operations of the LMRT Red Line, commencing passenger services from Agbado to Oyingbo,” the governor said. “We are on a mission to keep Lagos moving, and the Red Line is a key part of our vision to create a seamlessly connected city. This is also our second rail system to become operational in less than two years,” he said.
A trial run was conducted on the Red Line from September to October, in accordance with the requirement by the regulator, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), which last Friday presented the operator, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), with the requisite licences to operate the two metro lines.
The governor encouraged residents to have their Cowry Cards ready for boarding, adding, “Just as with the Blue Line and other public infrastructure, remember that this project belongs to all of us. Let’s treat it with the respect it deserves.”
Key officials, including the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, Permanent Secretary for Transportation, Wale Musa, and the Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Abimbola Akinajo, joined the inaugural train ride to Agbado.The Red Line will operate daily passenger services, with the first train departing from Agbado at 6:00 AM and the second leaving Iju Station at 7:30 AM.
The Red Line is projected to transport about 500,000 residents daily, enhancing mobility across the city. The governor also urged residents to protect the infrastructure from vandalism in the public interest.
The Red Line infrastructure was initially commissioned by President Bola Tinubu on February 29, 2024, with construction beginning in 2021. Last week, Governor Sanwo-Olu announced the commencement of commercial operations for the Red Line rail service.
The first phase of the Red Line covers 27 kilometres, with eight stations at Oyingbo, Yaba, Mushin, Oshodi, Ikeja, Agege, Iju, and Agbado.
“I called the attention of CAF yesterday morning to the fact that when that happened and the NFF was on the ground trying to sort out whatever logistics, the CAF Secretary General didn’t allow the President one minute of continuous contact and pressure.
“Yesterday morning, it was about 12, 13 hours. How come 13 hours after our team is so subjected, there is no indication that CAF is in direct communication with the Libyan Football Federation?
“If there are such two authorities in Libya, does Libya offer a good environment for international matches of this nature to be hosted in the country?” he questioned.
Libya Deny Any Wrongdoing
Nigeria beat Libya 1-0 in Uyo last Friday in Group D and the teams were set to meet again in the fourth round in Benghazi on Tuesday.
Furious at the way they were allegedly treated, the Nigerian delegation returned home on Monday,
A Libyan Football Federation statement said: “We reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation.
“There are no grounds to accuse the… Libyan Football Federation of deliberately orchestrating the incident. Such actions are inconsistent with our values and principles.
“It is important to highlight that just last week our own national team faced significant challenges upon arrival in Nigeria.”
CAF reacted to the incident by saying in a statement that they had been in contact with Libyan and Nigerian authorities.
“The matter has been referred to the CAF disciplinary board for investigation and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated CAF statutes and regulations,” it said.
