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LAGOS SEALS PARTNERSHIP WITH FOREIGN FIRM ON LIGHT RAIL PROJECT
…Says Passenger Operation Now To Commence In 2022
The Lagos State Government has signed a major agreement with an experienced international railway systems aggregator and rolling stocks manufacturer, Alstom SA of France on the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) project as part of efforts to rev up the multi-modal transport system in the State.
Following a comprehensive review of the rail project, which ought to have commenced passenger operation but had been hindered by unforeseen third party issues and other challenges, the State Government said the Marina to Mile 2 section of the project known as the Blue Line Rail, would now be ready for passenger operation by 2022.
The State Government had engaged consultants to carry out a technical review and due diligence on the implementation of the project, which substantially had focused on civil works, and reported back to government that operation of the first phase may only commence in 2022.
Alstom SA France, a foreign firm with over 100 years of railway experience covering 60 countries, was subsequently engaged to review the report of the consultants, while the firm in its report agreed that the first phase of the rail project could only become operational in 2022 based on proposed funding pattern.
Speaking at the signing of the agreement with Alstom SA, Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Mr. Abiodun Dabiri, who signed on behalf of the State Government, said the partnership was the result of the commitment of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode towards the transformation of public transportation in the State.
He said a consortium of experts engaged by the State Government to undertake a technical due diligence on the LRMT Blue Line Project (Mile 2 – Marina) had developed a roadmap which was accepted by the State Government to bring the railway project to passenger operations.
The consortium, according to Dabiri, in a final report, outlined their findings and proposed a roadmap to complete the civil infrastructure works and the Operation & Maintenance (O&M) infrastructure that will be needed for the commencement of passenger operation.
According to him, “Based on the final report submitted, the consortium of Alstom Transport SA France has been engaged for the procurement, engineering, construction, installation of Operation & Maintenance (O&M) moveable infrastructure and commissioning of railway systems towards the commencement of passenger operations for LRMT Blue Line project from Marina to Mile 2.”
While highlighting the extent of works to be carried out by Alstom SA, Dabiri said for ease of implementation, the work plan had been divided into two phases, with phase one aimed at demonstrating the non-public operation of the existing rolling stock before end of second quarter of 2019.
“For this purpose, a track length of about 3.0 km from Iganmu Station to National Theatre will be electrified. This operation would be done with the rolling stocks already supplied for the Blue Line project.
“This phase would allow the completion of all the preliminary works that would lead to the financing of the main works in Phase two. Phase one will be fully financed by Lagos State Government through Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
“Phase two, which is expected to be completed in 39 months, would entail the provision and installation of railway operations’ systems for the project from Marina to Mile 2 and the delivery of a passenger-ready Lagos Blue Rail Line by 2022,” he said.
Dabiri further said that the current efforts of Governor Ambode’s administration on the rail project was to bring to fruition the State Government’s commitment to deliver a multi-modal transport system and transform the State’s public transportation landscape with the view to moving it closer to the achievement of the first integrated and multi-modal transport system in Nigeria.
The LAMATA boss specifically appealed to businesses and Lagosians to trust the Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration to bring the Blue Rail Line to passenger operation by paying their taxes since the rail project is solely financed by the State Government through its IGR.
“We had highlighted earlier that what we are doing currently to bring the rail project to passenger operation would be funded through IGR. This is your project; it is designed to ease the movement of Lagosians, it is designed to improve and increase our competitiveness in the comity of smart cities, it is designed to improve our lifestyle and regenerate our environment. Let us support it,” Dabiri said.
Responding, Mr. Guy Jean-Pierre, a Director of Alstom SA, thanked the State Government for the confidence reposed in the firm and the opportunity given to partner with the State on the Blue Line Rail project.
He assured that Alstom would work to ensure the delivery of the Blue Line to passenger operation by bringing on board required expertise and experience in rail system management.
PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES JIM OVIA ON ADMISSION TO THE FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF LONDON
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, CFR, on his admission to the prestigious Freedom of the City of London.
Admission to the Freedom of the City of London is an honour bestowed on individuals either for their service to the city or for their achievements.
In a press statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described the honour as a fitting recognition of Mr. Ovia’s exceptional contributions to business, innovation, and technology, as well as for his role in shaping Nigeria’s financial landscape and strengthening economic ties between Africa and the rest of the world.
“This honour is a testament to your unwavering commitment to excellence, your pioneering role in the growth of the financial services sector in Nigeria, and your visionary leadership that continues to inspire generations. As an accomplished entrepreneur and advocate of innovation-driven development, your recognition in the City of London affirms the global relevance of Nigerian excellence and enterprise,” the President stated.
President Tinubu commended Mr. Ovia for being a distinguished ambassador of the nation’s private sector and wished him continued success in his endeavours.
It was a salient and momentous occasion as one of God’s generals,the president of PMF, Pentecostal Ministers Forum of Nigeria and the founder of Kings In Christ Power Ministries Int.Bishop Chidi Anthony celebrated his birthday yesterday.
The event which was held at white sand,Isherin Osun, Lagos was anchored by Nollywood actor Kingsley Ogbonna aka, Dauda was attended by numerous prominent personalities :DCP Oliver Ezirim,DCP Forensic, Alagbon,CSP Charles,STS Commander Idimu,CSP Agatha Eze ,Dpo ,Idimu, Bishop Tony Anthony Aniekwu, Bishop Kennedy Ogu,HRH EZE C. C Nwokdi Eze Ndi Igbo,ijegun and Ijedodo, bishop Anene Nwachuku,Rhema Deliverance ministry,Hon.Eugene Chinedu Ajuonuma
The event was epochal as guests were given wonderful and awesome treat;the celebrant being a religious leader,the president of Pentecostal Ministers Forum advised the Nigerian government on how to solve the problems confronting the nation “I want the government to create employment opportunities and empowerment programmes in order to engage our youths, nobody will be happy to graduate for years without a Job and no means of livelihood,that is why crime is on the increase almost every young person you see today is into one crime or the other in the quest for survival,if something can be done urgently by the government,will help curtail the insecurity in the country and create a good environment for us to dwell ”
Bishop Chidi Anthony who happens to be a philanthropist also used the avenue to inform Lagosians about his palliative and empowerment programme that will be coming up on the 16th of May “Christianity goes beyond preaching the bible,it also talks about love and care to the people,I want to use this medium to invite the people of Lagos to my palliative and empowerment programme that will be coming up on the 16th of May, during my annual programme”GREATER THAN THE POOL OF BETHSAIDA” i will be giving out food stuffs to Lagosians and there will also be financial empowerments for the indigents and the vulnerables, anywhere you are in the city of Lagos, don’t forget to be at 17, Jubilee close,Taiwo bus stop,Ago palace way, it’s my way of supporting and alleviating the suffering in the nation “.
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