FG Approves Right of Way for Lagos Red Line Project

• Oshodi-Abule-Egba BRT to be completed in 20 months

By Gboyega Akinsanmi

The Lagos State Government at the weekend disclosed that the federal government had finally approved right of way for the construction of another light rail (red line) project.

The state government also disclosed that it had started the construction of Osho-Abule-Egba Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), noting that the project, second of its kind in Nigeria, would be completed in 20 months.

The Acting Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Olarenwaju Elegushi, spoke on the two strategic projects at a stakeholders’ meeting he addressed alongside the Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Mr. Abiodun Dabiri, at the weekend. 

The meeting was convened to enlighten artisans, residents and traders along the corridor on the on-going construction of Osho-Abule-Egba BRT project, which the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode initiated in 2016.

After the meeting, Elegushi said most challenges on the plan to construct light rail (red line) project had been resolved, disclosing that the federal government had approved right of way for it.

 He noted that the state government “is committed to the red line project. We have got the right of way from the federal government. We are just planning on our finance. We are also looking for the right people to do it.

“We are planning on its operation and maintenance. We have a lot we planning regarding the project. As soon as we finish the planning, we will roll out. We are currently looking at various options.

“We have the option of PPP. We have the option of BOT. We also have the option of JV. We have four options we are working on. By the time we are through, we will come up with good option that will benefit the people of Lagos.”

Even though the state government has opened bids for the red line project, the commissioner disclosed that a lot proposals “have been submitted to our office. We are also looking at these proposals. Every investor – domestic and foreign – wants to work with Lagos.”

Considering the exchange rate variation, Elegushi said there was need to re-plan and review a lot of things, noting that a committee “has already been set up on the red line project. The committee is working day and night. The project is dollar-driven. We pray the strength of dollar wane.”

On the Oshodi-Abule-Egba BRT project, Dabiri pointed out that the corridor “is unquestionably one of the busiest bus routes in West Africa with 5,500 buses moving passengers per day.”

He described the corridor as a critical link for millions of people, who live in Alimosho, Egbeda, Iyana-Ipaja, Abule-Egba, Ijaiye and up to Toll Gate into Sango-Otta in Ogun State.

He added that the state government “has approved the Oshodi-Abule-Egba BRT corridor with a length of 14 kilometre for construction. And the work has equally started on the project.”

He added that the project would comprise an uninterrupted median running BRT service, 11 foot bridges across the corridor, one bus depot and two bus terminal at Iyana-Ipaja and Abule-Egba.

He explained the benefits to include improved mobility with the capacity to move over 350,000 passengers daily, elimination of traffic congestion along the corridor, reduce travel time by at least 40 percent and employment opportunities for Lagos residents among others.