The Lagos transport system has received a boost from the African Development Bank (AfDB) with a promise to work with the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) to develop another rail line.
AfDB Vice President, Private Sector Infrastructure and Industrialisation, Mr. Solomon Quaynor, gave the assurance while on a visit to LAMATA in the company of Mr. Mayowa Ayodele, Non-Sovereign Operations and Private Sector Equity Specialist, ahead of a visit of the technical team to assess the Purple line.
The Purple Line is a 60-kilometer railroad running from the Redemption Camp in Ogun State, traversing Berger, Agege and Alimoso and terminating at Volkswagen to join the Blue Line.
The visit follows a recent pitch for investment on the 60-kilometre Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Purple Line at the African Development Bank forum in Morocco, where the Lagos delegation was led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
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The delegation toured the LRMT Blue Line and expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Blue Line rail system.
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Meanwhile, LAMATA has unveiled the Marina and Mile 2 interchange to transform public transport in Lagos State..
Speaking at a media briefing on the Marina and Mile2 interchange project, Akinaho described the project as a major interchange for Lagos State.
” All modes of transportation road, water, and rail will be integrated at this interchange. The vision is to ensure that when people change modes of transportation, they can do so within a short period, ideally in less than 3 to 5 minutes. Passengers will be able to disembark from a train and immediately board a bus to complete their journey.
Akinajo emphasized that LAMATA is pursuing this interchange project to develop Lagos to the point where public transportation becomes the natural first choice for residents, who will be assured of a seamless journey from start to finish. While there are about 13 interchanges planned, Marina and Mile2 are the two major ones. She also mentioned that the project is expected to be completed within 13 months, with a 15-month contract in place, aiming for readiness by the beginning of 2026.”
Akinajo added that LAMATA has maintained excellent cooperation with the local community, stating, “We engage them.” She added that the overarching goal is to keep people informed about the developments. “We’ve done a lot of advocacy, held numerous discussions, and liaised with local government chairmen. We present the vision of the state, explaining what we are bringing to each locality. Once people see the benefits, they begin to support the initiative.”