President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday inaugurated the first phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line project, a 37km project expected to reduce travel time and improve transportation and logistics in the state.
The President also witnessed the signing of the contract for Phase 2 of the LRMT Red Line project by the Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Engr. Abimbola Akinajo, and the Chairman of CCECC Nigeria Limited, Jason Zhang.
The President, before departing for a state visit to Qatar, embarked on an inaugural train ride from the Ikeja station to the Agege station, accompanied by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor of the State, Femi Hamzat, some state governors, members of the Federal and State Executive Councils, members of the Federal and State Legislative Assemblies, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun, and a select group of journalists.
Addressing a gathering of Nigerians at the train station in Ikeja, President Tinubu directed the Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’idu Alkali, to ensure that the federal and subnational governments strengthen their collaboration to provide reliable, efficient, and affordable transportation systems for all Nigerians across the country.
Reflecting on his tenure as the former governor of Lagos State, when the vision of a modern and effective public transportation system in the state was conceived, President Tinubu described the project as a dream realized and a fulfilment of years of hard work and dedication by successive governments.
While speaking to reporters aboard the train during the inaugural ride, President Tinubu assured Nigerians that their lives will only become more enjoyable as modern amenities are built across the entire nation under his progressive leadership.
“The recent development in the rail transportation in Lagos state Nigeria is aimed at boosting the transportation system to improve the IGR and give comfort to Lagos” he said.
President Tinubu and Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other state Governors however took a test ride of the Red line in Lagos on Thursday.
Dignitaries present at the commissioning were Ahmed Ododo of Kogi, Hope Uzodinma of Imo; Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Dapo Babangana Zulum of Borno, Femi Gbajabiamila(Chief of staff to Mr President), and others.