Connect with us

Transport

Lagos Red Line Project Now At Completion Stage- Sanwo Olu

Published

on

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday, again went on an extensive inspection of the ongoing construction activities around the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line project.

 

It’s the fourth time in a year the Governor would be inspecting the pace of work on the 37-kilometre-long rail infrastructure wholly started by his administration, with Sanwo-Olu assuring Lagosians that the rail project would be delivered on its scheduled completion date.

 

The transport infrastructure being developed by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) will have the capacity to transport over 500,000 passengers daily when it becomes operational in the first quarter of next year.

 

The Red Line will traverse on standard gauge from Agbado to Oyingbo, in the first phase, while terminating at Iddo in the second phase. It has eight stations and it is expected to reduce travel by over two hours.

 

Sanwo-Olu, joined on the project tour by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and members of cabinet, first stopped at the multi-level Agege Terminal, where he inspected completion work on the facility.

 

The Agege Red Line terminal shares the same yard with Babatunde Raji Fashola Station built by the Federal Government, but stands about 300 metres apart.

 

The Governor also inspected the staff quarters built by the Lagos Government for the railway workers in the employment of the Federal Government.

 

Sanwo-Olu, thereafter, led the team to the iconic Ikeja Station of the Red Line, where 80 per cent of the civil work had been completed. The Governor also checked the progress of the overpass being constructed on Awolowo Way axis to ensure non-interference of vehicular movement on the rail passageway.

 

The Governor stopped at Mushin terminal, to inspect the station and overpass, which stretches between Kayode and Ogunmokun streets, being developed there, before proceeding to Yaba and Oyingbo stations.

 

After the exercise that lasted for four hours, Sanwo-Olu expressed satisfaction on the quality of the work done, disclosing that most of the difficult tasks had been completed.

 

The entire construction, the Governor said, has moved into the finishing phase in which precast beams and other concrete fittings are being coupled to the constructed structures.

 

He said: “The Red Line is a project conceived and started by our Government, which will be delivered in the lifetime of this administration. We have given our commitment to ensure the project is completed by the end of this year as promised. This is our fourth inspection trip on this project within the year alone and each time we come, there is significant progress that the contractor achieves along the rail corridor.

 

“Along the rail corridor, there is massive regeneration that is taking place and we have paid extensive amount in terms of compensation, far more than anyone else, for those affected by the construction activities. That is why we don’t have problem with members of the communities on this corridor. After inspecting the Agege station, we went on to check the Ikeja terminal, which happens to be the iconic station of the Red Line. Its size is almost about the size of three football fields together.

 

“As we have seen, all the stations inspected are at the roof level, moving into the completion stage. The civil work has been completed, it’s just the finishing job we are doing at the moment. All the activities are on schedule and we are hoping the best entire project will be completed by the end of the year. There are places that were particularly challenging for the contractor to do drilling due to high vehicular density. All the challenges have been overcome; what is left is concrete in-situ and placing of precast beams.”

 

Sanwo-Olu said the construction work on the overpasses were at different stages of completion but assured that all work would be done by December.

 

He said the work on the bridge on Awolowo Way onto Agege Motor Road and inward Mongoro Bus Stop remained on track and would finish by the end of October.

 

Sanwo-Olu said the Mushin overpass, which crosses from Kayode Street at Ikorodu Road to Agege Motor Road in Mushin, and the one at Yaba from Tejuosho exiting onto Murtala Muhammed Road, would be completed by November.

 

To eliminate human interference with the rail corridor, the Governor said the rail passageway would be walled off the residential areas. This, he said, would also prevent encroachment and unapproved commercial activities around the corridor.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Transport

SIFAX Logistics Acquires Brand New Trucks To Boost Haulage.

Published

on

By

 

 

 

By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

 

 

The haulage subsidiary of the SIFAX Conglomerate, SIFAX Logistics Company Ltd has acquired 13 brand-new trucks out of the 200 targeted to boost her operations.

The trucks, which are 33 tons of 6×4 MAN diesel vehicles with 400 horsepower, will help the company increase its market share and competitiveness in long-distance and interstate deliveries.

Adewale Adetayo, General Manager, SIFAX Logistics Company Limited, disclosed this at the unveiling of the 13 brand-new trucks.

According to him, the additions became necessary following an upsurge in demand for the company’s haulage services across the country.

He said: “To maintain our market dominance and expansion to various new routes within the country, management decided to embark on the purchase of these new trucks. Our target is to expand rapidly and we have mapped out a strategic plan to acquire 200 new trucks before the end of the 2024 business year. This will be done in phases and we have started with 13 for now. We hope to buy another 20 in the next phase of our acquisition plan.”

He explained that the company went for the MAN diesel brand, a German product, because of its high rating in the logistics ecosystem, durability, load-bearing capability, driving stability, and adaptability.

In his remarks during the unveiling, Chairman of SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, noted that the company has always braved the odds to invest more in the Nigerian economy during downtimes.

“We are aware many businesses are not favorably disposed to investing at this moment due to the prevailing economic reality. But the reality is that some economic activities like production and movement of goods will almost always demand haulage services even in challenging times.”

He said SIFAX is scaling up through the acquisition of the trucks because of the huge potential in the industry.

“The economic outlook for the country is looking bright and we know that once the economy bounces back, we would reap the rewards of our investments.”

“Many businesses, both existing and potential clients, continue to reach out to us due to the credibility and efficiency we have achieved over the years. To meet these agreements, we need a larger fleet”, Afolabi added.

 

Continue Reading

Transport

ASSIMPIN Decries Sit-Tight Leadership, Calls For Fresh Election After Twelve Years.

Published

on

By

His Royal Majesty, Eze Ambassador Damian Obianigwe,

 

 

 

By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

 

 

The Association of Igbo Maritime Practitioners In Nigeria (ASSIMPIN) has called on the current leadership under His Royal Majesty, Eze Ambassador Damian Obianigwe, to conduct an election without further delay. This is with the aim to inject new blood into the leadership after a very long period of leadership inertia which has stagnated growth contrary to the dream of the founding fathers.

 

As stated in an ASSIMIN press release jointly signed by the the Chairman and Secretary, Chief Boniface Okoye and Osita Chukwu respectively, the umbrella body of Igbo practitioners in the freight forwarding trade expressed disgust at the state of affairs in the association whereby those in power have, for the past twelve years, refused to conduct election even as thy have failed to add value to the body.

 

The elders condemned, in strong terms, the inability of the current leadership to obey the stipulations of the constitution especially as regards tenure.

 

The elders are worried that one of them, Prince Ozo Chukwura who was chosen about fourteen years ago to assist and direct the President-General to ensure that the right steps are taken to move the body forward has completely failed in his duty.

 

“We the elders of the Igbo Maritime Forum of ASSIMPIN are hereby writing to register our utter disgust at the state of our formerly revered Association.”

 

“We chose Prince Ozo Chukwura about fourteen years ago as a well-grounded maritime professional to help guide the president general in shepherding this Association to greatness”.

 

ASSIMPIN noted with displeasure, what it referred to as the seemingly unshakable bad support that Prince Chukwura has accorded the President- General, His Royal Majesty, Ambassador Damian Obianigwe, thus, making him unable to show good leadership. The President-General, the statement added, has not added much value to the Association.

 

“It is also on record that Chief Obianigwe was voted to serve a two-year tenure, but has now spent almost fourteen years at the position. These have happened with the unflinching support of Prince Ozo Chukwura to the president general. All entreaties for him to guide the president general and grant some good advice to him have not been heeded to”.

 

“We also want to state that the flimsy and illegitimate excuse of lack of biometrics capture by members for the conduct of an election is not tenable as it is unconstitutional”.

 

The present leadership, the statement said, should make the right move towards having a free and fair election so as to enthrone what it calls an efficient executive to take over the mantle of leadership.

Continue Reading

Transport

OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE: Nigerian Railway Corporation Deserves Unbundling, Says Sambo.

Published

on

By

Transportation Minister

 

 

 

 

 

By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

 

 

 

 

 

 

To realize Government’s vision and objectives on the current reforms  in the transportation sector, it has become necessary to unbundle the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

 

Transportation Minister, Muazu Jaji Sambo stated this while addressing the management team of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), led on a visit to him by the CEO, Dr. Armstrong Katang.

 

Unbundling the NRC to make it more economically viable while offering world class services to Nigerians has become imperative, he told the delegation.

 

“One of the things I will like to see as the Minister of Transportation, through MOFI is the unbundling of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).  There is a Committee set up to unbundle NRC and I will urge you to work with the existing Committee” , he affirmed.

 

The Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) was incorporated under the provisions of Sections 2 and 3 of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) Act of 1959 as an asset holding company under the Federal Ministry of Finance.  MOFI is the sole manager of all Federal Government investment interests, estates, easement and rights.

 

Going by the reforms implemented in the ports and numerous benefits that have been brought in the sector, a similar thing deserves to be replicated in the railway sector.

 

” The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), the way it is currently, is the way the ports were prior to concession, prior to the reforms of 2005.  Today, even the Nigeria Ports authority (NPA) workers are happier about how NPA is today compared to how it was prior to the reforms.  This means the reformed NPA is generating more revenue to support its operations and also support its workforce and its pensioners”.

 

” I don’t want the NRC staff to see the unbundling of the NRC as a threat to their jobs.  If we have a better performing NRC, then we are going to have better salaries for its workers, better working conditions for its workers, more revenue for the FG and therefore the ability to even build more rail networks”, he told staff who may dread job loss.

 

Sambo pointed out that the issue of encroachment on railway property will soon be a thing of the past as “MOFI was berthed for a specific reason and that reason is for the Federal Government to take control of its assets and create optimum value for these assets”.

 

In his contribution, the Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, extolled the capabilities of the Managing Director, MOFI, Dr. Armstrong, saying he has full confidence that the MOFI team will deliver on the job.

 

On her own part, Dr Magdalene Ajani,  Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, noted that the MOFI team is satisfying the yearning of Nigerians to have young people in positions of responsibility. She assured the MOFI team of the cooperation of the Ministry in their assignment.

 

Earlier, the MOFI Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Armstrong Katang explained that the visit was to discuss how to create a more effective and efficient partnership between MOFI and the Ministry of Transportation.

 

Areas of collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation Katang pointed out included enumerating and valuing the Nigerian Railway Corporation to ensure that its value is captured in line with current realities.

 

Others included enumerating and capturing other critical assets within the Ministry especially its infrastructure assets and establishing a task force with representation from the Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Finance, with clear terms of reverence  to help with the identified assignments.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Maritime Agencies14 hours ago

Dantsoho, NPA Boss, Inaugurates MWUN Headquarters Annexe, Pledges Port Infrastructure Upgrade.

Maritime Agencies14 hours ago

Matawalle Commends President Tinubu For Prompt Payment Of Pensions And Other Military Entitlements.

Maritime Agencies1 day ago

NIWA Implores States To Collaborate To Achieve Safer Inland Waterways

Maritime Agencies4 days ago

ALLEGED MALTREATMENT: Seme Border Customs Sets Up Investigation.

Maritime Agencies4 days ago

EXPORT: Shippers’ Council Directs Terminals To Stop Collecting Delivery Charges

Maritime Agencies4 days ago

REWARD FOR HARDWORK: Comptroller Nnadi Shines At Awards Night, Bags Honours.

Maritime Agencies4 days ago

NIWA Regrets Kogi Boat Mishap After Massive Sensitization On Waterway Safety, Sets Up Inquiry

Maritime Agencies7 days ago

Lillypond Export Customs Impound Unprocessed Export-Bound Timber, Insists On Compliance.

Maritime Agencies1 week ago

TINCAN CUSTOMS: CGC Adeniyi Commissions Renovated Office Building, Lauds Comptroller Nnadi’s Sterling Performance, Stakeholders’ Collaboration.

Maritime Agencies2 weeks ago

AfCFTA: Transportation, Logistics Remain Key To Success, Industry Expert Says

Maritime Agencies2 weeks ago

Defence Minister Attends Kano International Trade Fair, Canvasses Support For The Military To Overcome Insecurity.

Maritime Agencies2 weeks ago

Tantita’s Warredi Enisuoh Bags Global Recognition From Highstone Global University, Texas, USA

Maritime Agencies2 weeks ago

Defence Minister, Badaru Abubakar, Tours South East, Assures Adequate Security For Business Prosperity

Maritime Agencies2 weeks ago

NAGAFF Pledges Total Support And Cooperation As New Ports Police Boss Visits

Maritime Agencies2 weeks ago

PMAWCA Changes Leadership, Elects Dr Dantsoho, NPA MD, As Chairman

Maritime Agencies2 weeks ago

Reps Inland Waterways Committee Lauds NIWA MD’s Transformative Initiatives, Work Ethics.

Maritime Agencies2 years ago

APFFLON Seeks Immediate Reform of CRFFN, Replacement of Registrar.

Maritime Agencies2 years ago

MAN, ORON: It’s Encomiums Galore From International Seabed Authority (ISA).

Maritime Agencies2 years ago

INLAND WATERWAYS OFFERS NIGERIA ALTERNATIVE REVENUE SOURCE, Says Sambo

Maritime2 years ago

OMIS AWARDS, 2022: Greg Ogbeifun, Industry Gurus For Special Recognition.

Transport2 years ago

MUAZU SAMBO: Showcasing Nigeria’s Maritime Potentials At The Global Arena

Maritime Agencies1 year ago

FG Set To Re-establish National Shipping Line, To Take Advantage of $10 bn Annual Ship Charter Market.

Maritime Agencies2 years ago

MAN, Oron, Kick-starts Simulator-based Training, Commends FG, NIMASA.

Shipping Position1 year ago

BENIN SEAPORT UPDATE: Edo State Government, Host Communities, Conduct Bidders To Inspect Project Site.

Maritime Agencies2 years ago

PUBLIC RELATIONS:  New Image Maker Mounts the Saddle at NPA.

Customs1 year ago

MARAN Salutes DCG Adeniyi On His Elevation  As Customs Comptroller-General.

Photospeak2 years ago

Photo News: Salah Celebration

Maritime Agencies2 years ago

MAY DAY: NPA Should Give Us Reasons To Celebrate, Says COMTUA.

Politics2 years ago

2023 ELECTIONS:CILT Hosts Seminar on Logistics & Electoral Process

Business2 years ago

ACFCTA: LASG Seeks Private Sector Partnership To Boost MSMEs

Maritime Agencies2 years ago

NPA MARITIME CONTRACT HIJACK: Allegation Baseless, Unfounded, Says Transportation Minister

Photospeak2 years ago

PHOTO NEWS: Maritime Capacity Development

Advertisement
Realtime Website Traffic

Trending