The city of Lagos witnessed a step forward in urban transportation infrastructure as President Bola Tinubu commissioned the metro Red Railway Line of 37km built by Chinese giant, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC)
That would be the third such project completed, commissioned, and put into public use by the CCECC since June 2021.
In January 2023, the Lagos State government also flagged off the Metro Blue Line of 12km running from Mile 2 to downtown Marina. In June 2021, it was the Lagos-Ibadan intercity railway line of 156km with a loop of 7km that was flagged off for use.
The project flagged off on Thursday was commenced and started by Governo Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The project valued at an initial cost of $135m is part of the Lagos urban infrastructure expansion.
The accomplishment updated the total railway projects completed by CCECC in the past six years to 766km.
Tinubu in his speech at the event that was held at the Ikeja main station appreciated the governor for sustaining the original urban transportation plan which Sanwo-Olu said was envisaged by Tinubu when he was Lagos governor.
The president said he was optimistic that the project would add value to commuters in the state and serve as a boost to welfare and the economy of the state.
Sanwo-Olu noted in his speech that the railway line which runs from Agbado to Oyingbo is projected to process 500,000 daily when at optimal service.
While making his speech, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Cui Jianchun congratulated the Lagos government for the project and appreciated the CCECC for keeping faith with the policy of China to play a key role in the infrastructural development of African countries, including Nigeria.
He expressed gladness that since his assumption of service in Nigeria as the ambassador, the project was the fourth such major project he took part in its commissioning. He listed the Lagos-Ibadan railway, Lagos International Airport’s new terminal, the Lagos Blue metro line, and this present one as outstanding achievements for the strengthening of the China-Nigeria diplomatic relationship.
The event was also used for the signing of the contract for the second phase of the Metro Red Line between CCECC and the Lagos Municipal Transportation Agency (LAMATA)
Construction on the next phase signed on Thursday is expected to commence soon. CCECC has over the years honed its credibility as a major factor in the development of infrastructure in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
In December 2022, the company won the bid to build the Lagos 4th Mainland Bridge of 37km for $2.5b which will be funded by CCECC to about 75%.
The event was attended by top government functionaries, and members of the diplomatic corps, including the Chinese Consul General in Lagos, Ms. Yan Yuqing.
