BIG STORY
Sanwo-Olu Inaugurates Yaba Flyover, As Lagos Red Rail Line Races To Completion [PHOTOS]
- Don’t turn the bridge to trading area, Governor warns.
- Lagos to start test run of Red Line trains
Yaba flyover, one of the four bridges being concurrently constructed by the Lagos State Government along the Red Line rail corridor, is now open to traffic, creating a new commuting and connectivity experience in Lagos Mainland.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, commissioned the T-shape overpass that will serve as an alternative route to access Ebute Metta, Oyingbo, Yaba and Surulere.
The project, undertaken by Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), has brought traffic relief to motorists and commuters plying Yaba, as it has solved congestion and delays associated with railway level crossing, which hitherto hindered free movement in the vicinity.
The overpass bridge also eliminated pedestrian and vehicular interference on the rail tracks, significantly reducing the risk of accidents and collisions between trains and vehicles.
A euphoric crowd of residents thronged the ceremony where the Governor and members of the State’s cabinet gathered to formally inaugurate the project.
Sanwo-Olu said the event marked the beginning of the completion phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line, which spans 37 kilometres from Agbado to Oyingbo. He stressed that the delivery of the infrastructure bore testament to his administration’s determination to develop and proffer sustainable solutions to transportation challenges facing the State.
The Governor said the remaining overpasses at Ikeja, Mushin and Oyingbo were at their completion stages, disclosing that the bridges would be opened to traffic before the end of December 2023.
He said: “Today, we are witnessing another leap in the fulfilment of our promise under the Traffic management and Transportation pillar of our development agenda. Three years ago, we undertook the task to construct four bridges across rail lines between Oyingbo and Ikeja, the objective to bring relief to our teeming residents by reducing congestion and improving travel time as well as the cost of commuting. Over the years, we recorded avoidable fatal accidents on railway crossings, most of the time due to human errors.
“Today, we are formally inaugurating a key component of the infrastructure projects initiated to bring about traffic improvement and solutions to the challenges encountered. This event is, therefore, significant because it signifies the completion phase of the Red Line project. Before the end of the year, other overpass bridges at Ikeja, Mushin and Oyingbo will be formally commissioned and there will be no more occurrence of train-vehicle accidents at these locations.”
Sanwo-Olu said the delivery of the Yaba flyover reflected his Government’s plan for an integrated transportation system, stressing that the infrastructure had turned the area to a hub of rapid bus and rail transportation.
In the coming weeks, the Governor said the Red Line trains would begin pre-inauguration test run, as the construction races to the end. This, he said, will be followed by commissioning and formal operations of the metro line in 2024.
Sanwo-Olu urged road users to protect the infrastructure from vandals and arsonists, while also warning against turning the bridge to a trading platform. He served last notice to all those engaging in illegal trading on the railway tracks, instructing law enforcement officers to ensure compliance.
He said: “These projects have been implemented at huge cost. We should not feel unconcerned when societal enemies are bent on destroying our commonwealth. I ask all road users to protect this bridge from vandals and other societal enemies.
“Let me reiterate that this bridge is not a market place; the steps, ramps, and sidewalks are not for displaying wares. Our law enforcement agencies have been given strict instructions to ensure zero tolerance for any misuse of this facility.”
Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said Lagos Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP) was designed to provide to 25 transport imperatives, which include creation of multiple transport choices for residents, introduction of integrated transport system, making the transit system attractive, convenient, affordable and accessible, reducing urban transportation-induced emissions.
He said the infrastructure would optimise the usage of the road network and aid urban transport planning.
“The STMP also provided for a long term financing of the investment plan,” the Commissioner said.
LAMATA Managing Director, Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo said three out of the four remaining bridges had been completed and awaiting commissioning. The only outstanding project, she said, is the Mushin overpass, which is due for completion by December.
“In the coming weeks, Mr. Governor will be commissioning the remaining overpasses one after the other, until the main project, the Red Line, is commissioned for operations. The operation of the Red Line and its ancillary infrastructure will have an exponential effect on the economy of the State,” she said.
Thousands of excited Nigerians attended the opening day of the much-anticipated maiden edition of the Lagos Shopping Festival (LSF) on Monday, December 23 and were served up an electrifying feast of events, activities and promotions across the the main venue of the festival, the iconic Mobolaji Johnson Arena, (formerly Onikan Stadium).
As advertised, first day of the festival lived up to its billing with a colourful blend of commerce, music, innovation and creativity following its flag off by the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.
The Lagos Shopping Festival, powered by the Lagos State Government in collaboration with Chain Reactions Africa, a frontline PR firm, and supported by leading brands, including Zenith Bank, Tolaram Group, First Bank Plc, and Guinness, will see millions of people hit the main venue and select Lagos malls to bag the latest bargains, and bring together the best of city’s retail offering, showcasing local and top global brands and shopping experiences, including in-mall promotions.
Speaking at the event, Governor Sanwo-Olu described the LSF as a history-making festival of back-to-back shopping, fun, and entertainment, reaffirming the Lagos state’s commitment to grow small businesses as well as the entertainment industry.
“This is the first of its kind and this event is made to bring shoppers with MSMEs, with innovators, with entertainers, with the creative industry, with the food industry and everybody,” said Sanwo-Olu.
“For the next three days, we are meant to all come together, enjoy good food, good music, sales at discounted market price, shopping at the highest level and just general entertainment with the creativity of Lagos,” the Governor added.
He called on all Lagosians and Nigerian to join the fun, shopping and entertainment.
“Call everybody from Iyana-Ipaja to Alimosho, call people from Agege, call them from Ebute-Meta to Shomolu, call them from Bariga, from Badagry to Ikorodu, from Epe to Ibeju-Lekki, call everyone to come to the arena here at the Mobolaji Johson Center in Onikan where we’ll be doing shopping, we’ll be doing music, we’ll be doing entertainment for the next two days. This is the first of its kind”, Sanwo-Olu added.
He assured all fun-seekers, buyers and sellers of their safety, saying that they are in a safe, secure, peaceful environment, urging them to “to sit back, relax and see another Lagos creativity that is the first, and the very first Lagos Shopping Festival”.
Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed his appreciation to the sponsors of the Lagos Shopping Festival for their unwavering support to drive the story of Lagos commerce, entertainment and creativity.
“I want to thank all of our sponsors from FirstBank, to Zenith Bank, to Tolaram, to Smirnoff Ice, to Indomie Noodles, to OmniBiz, to PowerOil, to Minimie, and to Malta Guinness, all of them, including the Lagos State Government. I want to thank you”.
He also commended all the local and small businesses at the festival, and urged Lagosians and Nigerians to always patronize them.
“More importantly, to all the small businesses that are inside and under the canopies, go out there and make good deals. Go out there and do huge purchases from them. Go out there and make their small-scale market, work for them; because here, we want the market to be meeting all of the shoppers. That’s what this is all about. It’s about buying stuff at the most reduced market. It’s about entertainment, it’s about food, it’s about tourism. This is what Lagos has given to you again,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Also, commenting, the MD/ Chief Strategist, Chain Reactions Africa, the organisers of the Lagos Shopping Festival, Mr Israel Jaiye Opayemi, buttressed the strategic significance of the festival saying, “LSF is poised to be the catalyst that will redefine the true essence of commerce, especially SME businesses, the creative ecosystem, and fun times with family, friends and loved one. LSF is sure set to open a new vista of socio-economic growth from Lagos, to Nigeria, whilst raising a unique bar in the African market”.
Fun-seekers and business men and women alike had entertainment value for their time, with dancing and singing competition with the winners adjudged by the audience receiving cash gifts. The highlight of the day was the energy-revving musical performances from the youthful Ayo Maff, with the soulful rendition of songs from Adekunle Gold the icing on the cake for the audience who kept singing along to his enchanting stage performances.
BIG STORY
JUST IN: Oriyomi Hamzat, Queen Naomi, School Principal Remanded In Agodi Prison Over Ibadan Stampede
-
BIG STORY5 days agoBREAKING: Court Grants Dele Farotimi N30m Bail In Defamation Case
-
BIG STORY11 hours agoJUST IN: Oriyomi Hamzat, Queen Naomi, School Principal Remanded In Agodi Prison Over Ibadan Stampede
-
BIG STORY4 days agoNCC Unveils Initiative To Combat Fraud, Spam Messaging
-
BIG STORY3 days ago10 Feared Dead, Several Others Injured At Catholic Church’s Palliative In Abuja
-
BIG STORY4 days agoJUST IN: Oil Marketers Reduce Petrol Price By 11.8% To N939.50 Per Litre
-
BIG STORY1 day agoTinubu To Hold First Presidential Media Chat Tonight
-
BIG STORY14 hours agoDeji Ogunsakin Launches The Better Life Foundation, Donates Food And Cash Gifts To Widows In Ado-Ekiti
-
BIG STORY3 days agoNNPC Denies Misleading Report, Insists Port Harcourt Refinery Operational