Ambode, 3rd left being shown sth of interest on Lagos Light rail project

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode  said the the first phase of the state light railway aimed at easing traffic jams in the commercial hub Lagos will be ready within 13 months.

He spoke today with Reuters, adding that his government has  invited  bids for an expansion.

China’s state-owned China Civil Engineering Construction Corp (CCECC) began work on the $2.5 billion scheme in 2010, hoping to open the line in 2011, but the project has suffered delays.

The railway is part of efforts to ease traffic congestion in the port city, where some of the 21 million residents get up as early as 4:30 a.m. to make it into their offices by 9:30.

Fashola at the track laying of the Lagos Light rail in 2012

In particular, it can take as much as four hours to cross the single bridge to the Victoria Island business district in the morning, though the island will not be served directly by the new line.

Asked about a start date for the line, Ambode told Reuters: “By December 2016, that should be delivered.”

He said a tender for an expansion had been opened, and that a total of six lines were planned, to connect northern and southern Lagos.

Ambode also said Wal-Mart Stores Inc, the world’s biggest retailer, which has said it is committed to Africa, had held talks with officials in July about the possibility of opening stores in Lagos.

Nigeria has the continent’s biggest economy and Lagos alone has a bigger GDP than Ghana or Kenya.

“They are looking at it, exploring it. But there is nothing definitive yet,” he said. “They intend to come back.”