By Oluwayemisi Onanuga,

The Ogun and Lagos State Governments have agreed to extend rail lines transportation projects to connect the two States, in order to enhance urban services and better access.

The collaboration was in line with the directive of the Governors of the two States, Prince Dapo Abiodun and Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu through the Ogun State Ministry of Transportation (MOT) and Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) to work out modalities for extending the Rail Lines.

Ogun State Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo revealed this in Abeokuta during an interactive meeting with the Managing Director and senior officials of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), saying the move would enable Ogun State to connect the Red Line coming from Marina in Lagos, due for commissioning in December 2022 to Alagbado in Ogun.

Dairo added that the Red Line would also be extended to Ijoko and Ifo/kajola in Ifo Local Government Area, saying a rail station would be built by Lagos State in Alagbado to increase economic activities of the area.

It would be recalled that the Lagos and Ogun Joint Development Commission have agreed that there would be a collaboration between the two States towards ensuring social and economic integration among the citizens and government of neighboring States.

The Commissioner reiterated that Ogun State is committed to ensuring a viable rail transportation system that connects the Lagos State Marina/Alagbado 37 kilometres Red Line Rail project to Ijoko and Kajolo, which are a few Kilometers north of Alagbado, and also extend the 27.5 kilometres Blue Line Rail project from Marina, Okokomaiko to Agbara, an existing industrial estate in Ogun.

Dairo said the Atan Lusada road to Agbara which is presently under construction would enhance easy access for the blue line extension and in no small measure ease transportation on that axis and in the State generally.

“On the issue of making use of our land in Ogun State for the project, we have agreed on the negotiations. Potential operators of the rail station will involve teams from Ogun State, this will also be negotiated on the project from Marina to Kajola, and from the regulatory side. Let me inform you that there are ongoing agreements with Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) on track sharing arrangements, which will kick off on March 1, 2022. This agreement will have the presence of Lagos and Ogun officials, and we definitely want the agreement to cover our own interest in the project”, Commissioner noted.

In his contribution, the Ogun State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, TPL. Tunji Odunlami assured the LAMATA crew of his Ministry’s readiness at ensuring swift attendance on the necessary approvals for the Alagbado rail project.

“It is our wish that we will be having more of these partnerships because whatsoever impacts Lagos State positively, will definitely be of immediate advantage to Ogun State and the other way round. On the planning side of it, we have had discussions with the MD LAMATA on the way forward when it comes to the acquisition of land. I want to reassure you that all hands will be on deck towards achieving this giant stride. Let me also state that our team is ready for inspections and documentation. I know this type of meeting will help us achieve mutual objective of the whole plan”, Odunlami Said

Also speaking, the Managing Director, LAMATA, Engr. Abimbola Akinajo, appreciated the two Commissioners, saying LAMATA would act on all that had been discussed and also disseminate necessary information for better achievement of the project.

Press Officer, MOT.