Sanwo-Olu, Oyebanji Restate Commitment to Quality Infrastructure Development

Segun James

As the nation grapples with infrastructure development, the Lagos State Governor Mr.Babajide  Sanwo-Olu  and his Ekiti State counterpart, Biodun Oyebanji,  have stressed the importance of economic growth and development of the country.
The duo spoke at the commissioning of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line Oyingbo Overpass Bridge built by the state government  to ensure the safety of lives and uninterrupted flow of vehicular traffic at level crossings along the Red Line.

 Sanwo-Olu at the event, said the Oyingbo Overpass Bridge is the second of the four that have been constructed to ensure safety of lives and ensure easy of vehicular traffic at the Red Line.
He assured that with the overpass bridges, the state government is: “providing a permanent solution to the avoidable fatal accidents often recorded at railway crossings.”

The special guest of honour, Oyebanji of Ekiti State, commended Sanwo-Olu for making Lagos a model for transformation.
He urged Lagos residents to treasure the path that has been set by Sanwo-Olu and drive on the progressive lane of the government so that people can benefit from the projects.

He advised the people to jealously guard the project, warning them against reversal of the good deeds of the Lagos State government.
Sanwo-Olu said: “Just about three days ago, I commissioned the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line Yaba Overpass Bridge. That bridge is already serving the intended purpose with significant improvement of traffic flow around Yaba. Today, we are also opening the LRMT Red Line Oyingbo Overpass Bridge here in Oyingbo, famous for being a thriving centre of commerce.”

Sanwo-Olu said that considering importance of Oyingbo as a major link between the Mainland and the Island, Lagos is investing in the provision of transport infrastructure that will support commerce and enhance ease of movement.
“Part of the infrastructure is the Yaba Bus Terminal, which unfortunately, was torched by arsonists alongside over 50 new high-capacity buses during the EndSARS protest.

“Today, we have risen from the ashes of those dark days as we forge ahead in the development of our transport infrastructure.
“Here in Oyingbo, we also have the Oyingbo Train station of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Red Line. The location of these infrastructure in this area is strategic and intentional to achieve a seamless integrated intermodal transport system for the people,” he added.

The governor, therefore, appealed to motorists in the state to exercise patience and cooperate with traffic and law enforcement officers in order to minimise the inconvenience that will be experienced during the period of the rehabilitation.
Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Abimbola Akinajo, said that the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line Oyingbo Overpass Bridge was important to move traffic into other parts of the mainland and Island Lagos.

She said that the Oyingbo Overpass Bridge is the third of the five bridges built over the LRMT Red Line Corridor by the Lagos State government to separate vehicular/pedestrian and train traffic, as well as eliminate incessant accidents on railway level crossings.

The LAMATA boss said that there were 10 level crossings identified along the LRMT Red Line rail corridor, over which overpass bridges should be built, adding that five were allocated to the Lagos State government and five others to the Federal Ministry of Transport.

Akinajo informed that the infrastructure to support the operation of the LRMT Red Line rail were already in place with stations and rail platforms built at Oyingbo, Yaba, Mushin, Oshodi, Ikeja, Agege and Iju.

She said that the bridges were an essential part of the LRMT Red Line rail project to ensure the safety of the people of Lagos, adding that the line has a total length of 717 meters.