The Lagos State Government has announced plans to concession the operations of the Red and Blue Line rail systems to the private sector in order to ensure their sustainability and repay loans taken for the rail projects.

This announcement was made by the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, during a recent TVC News interview, where he discussed the measures being implemented to ensure the continued viability of the state’s rail systems.

Osiyemi explained that the concessioning process would involve transferring the operations of the rail systems to private sector players for a defined period. This approach is intended to ensure the continued operation and effective management of the rail projects.

“The ultimate game is for all our rail systems we’ve done—that is, the Red Line and Blue Line—there is going to be some concessionairing with the private sector for a period of time to ensure sustainability and continuity,” he stated.

He added, “The concessioning would help pay back the loans taken for the rail projects.”

The commissioner emphasized that the concessioning strategy aims to ensure efficient operations and long-term financial sustainability, in line with the state’s vision for a world-class transportation network.

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Osiyemi further highlighted the substantial financial and technical challenges involved in operating rail systems, describing them as capital-intensive projects that require significant resources and specialized expertise.

To tackle these challenges and build local capacity, he noted that the Lagos State Government has enlisted foreign partners to temporarily manage the operations of the trains.

These partners are expected to not only ensure smooth operations during their tenure but also transfer critical skills to Nigerian personnel. The plan includes a structured training program lasting one to two years, after which the management of the rail systems will be fully handed over to local operators.

“What we have done is we have consulted foreign partners who, of course, would run these trains for a particular period of time and train our people—that is, transfer of skills.”

“They will train our people for one to two years, then hand over for our own management,” Osiyemi explained.

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The Lagos State Government, under its Lagos Strategic Transport Master Plan, has set out an ambitious vision to develop a network of rail systems across the state.

Currently, only the first phases of the Red Line and Blue Line rail systems have been completed, with passenger services already in operation.

The Blue Line is a 27km electric rail line designed for sustainable operations. Its first phase, covering 13km from Lagos Marina to Mile 2, was completed in 2023 and began commercial operations in September, carrying over 2 million passengers to date.

The Red Line, spanning 37km from Agbado in Ogun State to Oyingbo in Lagos, operates on diesel. Its first phase, a 27km stretch, includes eight strategically located stations: Agbado, Iju, Agege, Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba, and Oyingbo.

The construction of the second phases of both the Red Line and Blue Line rail systems is being managed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), which also oversees the operation of the trains.

Beyond the Red and Blue Lines, the state has plans for additional rail systems, including the 68km Green Line (Lekki Free Trade Zone to Marina), the 85.7km Purple Line (Redemption Camp to Ojo), the 48km Orange Line (Ikeja CBD to Agbowa), and the Yellow Line, all aimed at enhancing the state’s transportation network.

Condolence Message from the Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Lagos State, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab.

I am deeply saddened by the tragic incident that occurred in our community, Epe, claiming the lives of two promising young adults, a dedicated tricycle driver, and leaving several other people injured. This heartbreaking accident has left our hearts heavy, as we mourn the loss of these young souls who were full of hope and dreams, and an industrious individual who worked tirelessly for his livelihood.

As a member of this community, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends affected by this terrible loss. I can only imagine the pain you must feel, and I want you to know that you are not alone in this moment of grief.

Let us honor the memories of these individuals by advocating for safety and awareness on our roads. As we move forward, may we find comfort in community and strength in one another. May their souls rest in peace, and may their families find solace and healing in the days to come.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

The Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2 Command, Onne, in Rivers State, has seized containers containing illegally imported drugs, including fake tablets of Gonorrhoea antibiotics, with a total value exceeding N46.399bn.

The command also announced that it has generated over N500bn in revenue so far in 2024.

Customs Area Controller for Area 2 Command, Onne, Comptroller Mohammed Ndede, revealed this during a media briefing in Onne, where he displayed the seized drugs and tablets to the press.

Ndede noted that it had been exactly two months and seven days since the Controller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, visited Onne Port to showcase significant seizures, including arms and ammunition, made by the command’s officers.

He stated, “The security concern from the series of seizures of contraband goods made through this port led to the declaration of a three-month state of emergency, where the command has been granted the authority to scrutinise all suspected containers, regardless of the presence of their owners.”

Ndede explained that this proactive measure was designed to ensure that no illegal substances would escape scrutiny.

He continued, “In line with the Controller General of Customs policy thrust of consolidation and collaboration, more successes have been recorded.”

The command, in collaboration with sister agencies such as the NDLEA, the DSS, Quarantine, and NAFDAC, among others, in implementing the state of emergency, has made another significant seizure of 20 40-foot containers and one 20-foot container, all loaded with illicit drugs that pose a severe threat to public health and safety.

“Then, we have one 20-foot container laden with donkey skin,” Ndede added.

The breakdown of the seizure by the Customs Area 2 Command, Onne, includes: 2,624,053 bottles of 100ml Cough syrup codeine, 7,530,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac, 3,500,000 tablets of 5mg Trodol Benzhexol, 27,048,900 tablets of 225mg Royal Tapentadol/Tamil, and 7,665,000 tablets of 200ml fake/counterfeit Gonorrhoea antibiotics without NAFDAC number, among others.

Ndede further disclosed, “The duty paid value of the 21 containers totals N46,399,199,810, while the duty paid value for the donkey skin is N441,000,000.”

He noted that the seized goods were intercepted at the point of entry by vigilant officers, with some drugs concealed under plumbing materials and local grinding materials to evade detection.

Ndede emphasized that these seizures demonstrate the command’s steadfast commitment to fighting illicit medicine and safeguarding public health.

According to Ndede, “The implementation of this state of emergency by the CGC has proved effective in enhancing our operational capabilities and ensuring that we can act decisively against those who seek to undermine our nation’s security.”

Continuing on anti-smuggling efforts, Ndede reported that the command, under his leadership this year, has seized a total of 63 containers, including 844 rifles and 112,500 pieces of live ammunition, among other contraband.

He revealed that the duty paid value of these seizures, along with violations of various customs laws and breaches of procedural standards, amounted to N130,562,660,407.

Ndede highlighted the importance of export to Nigeria’s economic growth, job creation, and the favorable balance of trade and exchange rate for the naira to the dollar. He noted that the command processed a total of 2,436,408.33 metric tons of goods with a free onboard value of $826,613,015.87.

On revenue generation, Ndede stated, “The command, as of this morning, has generated a total revenue of N550,431,559,598.41bn.”

“This translates to 89 percent of the annual target of N618bn given to the command,” he added.

Ndede confirmed that two suspects had been arrested in connection with the latest seizures, and investigations are ongoing.