Lagos rail project: IPAC hails Sanwo-Olu, says project will enhances well-being
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Lagos State has described Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s investment in rail project as unprecedented, saying such steps will enhance residents’ well-being and state economy.
The Chairperson, Mrs Temilola Akinade, told newsmen that the council was impressed by the recent Inauguration of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line by President Bola Tinubu.
The Red Line project is a 37km rail route from Agbado to Marina with stations at Agbado, Iju, Agege, Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushing, Yaba, Oyingbo, Iddo, Ebute Ero and Marina.
The Red Line LRMT project is entirely funded by the LASG through a development loan syndication from domestic commercial banks.
The Red Line is using the International Standard Gauge (1435mm) and is expected to carry 750,000 passengers daily at inception and 1,100,000 when fully operational.
According to him, Lagos IPAC new executive committee at its inaugural meeting on Monday, discussed the project and its significance.
Akinade said that most developed nations with a reasonably huge population thrive through rail transport, hence the need for Lagos, with a population of above over 20 million to invest in rail transport.
“The primary duty of government across levels anywhere in the world is for security of lives and welfare of citizens.
“Railway development is not only going to secure lives of our people-because we lose so many lives on road and water-, it will also going to improve their well being.
“With a good and functional rail system, we are sure that stress many residents are going through will reduce and by so doing, their health will improve.
“There are so many benefits a functional rail system can bring to the people not only the state, ” she said.
Akinade, who called on residents to always protect public property, appealed to government to also prioritise the need of the people.
The IPAC chairman, however, urged the Federal Government and various state governors to do more to ease public transportation.
She said that the state IPAC would continue to appraise Sanwo-Olu’s administration from time to time.
