Tinubu Inaugurates Second Intra-City Rail Line

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has formally inaugurated the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Red Line delivered by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to give urban commuters a new transport option within the nation's economic metropolis.

The first phase of the 37-kilometre rail line, constructed by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, was commissioned with seven stations built along its corridor, traversing Agbado — a boundary town in Ogun State — to Oyingbo in Lagos Central.

The Red Line was inaugurated exactly 12 months after the State's first light rail — Blue Line — was inaugurated by former President Muhammadu Buhari. The 13-kilometres project, started by ex-Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, traverses five stations between Mile 2 and Marina.

The delightful atmosphere that enveloped the Ikeja mega station for the inaugural ride in the Red Line train, Thursday, bore testimony to the excitement generated among the residents to welcome the second intra-city rail network.

Six Governors, led by the chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, were among the first set of passengers who joined the President and Gov. Sanwo-Olu in a ride on the train.

The historic event was also witnessed by members of the Federal Executive Council, Lagos cabinet members, business leaders, members of the diplomatic community, political leaders, traditional rulers, traders and students.

Tinubu walked into the venue resplendent with joy, as he witnessed his vision of the intermodal transport ecosystem becoming a reality and bearing good dividends for citizens of his home State.

The President conveyed his commendation to Governor Sanwo-Olu for the "giant stride" and for his faith in the State's strategic development blueprint passed down to successive governments in the State by the Tinubu-led administration in Lagos.

Tinubu said the Red Line inauguration marked another milestone in the State's infrastructural progress, noting that the delivery of the project further validated his belief that democracy would work in society where leaders showed dedication to governance vision.

On his part, Lagos state governor, Sanwo-Olu described the ceremony as a "culmination of long, painstaking journey" of reforms in the transportation sector of the State, stressing that the commissioning of the rail system, once again, breathed life into Tinubu's vision of integrated transport connectivity.

The Governor said the Strategic Transport Master Plan of Lagos outlined six integrated rail lines, one monorail, 14 BRT corridors, over 20 water routes, and a vast network of major and inner roads.