120 Years After Tramway, Lagos Marks Completion of Blue Rail Line

Wednesday, December 21, 2022 6:38 pm

The Blue Rail Line was inaugurated by Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the commemoration of the completion ceremony for the First Phase of Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line (Marina – Mile 2), at the National Theatre Blue line station, Iganmu, on Wednesday, 21 December 2022. Inset L-R: The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa; Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Engr. Abimbola Akinajo during the ceremony.

The Blue Rail Line was inaugurated by Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday, 21 December 2022. It was the commemoration of the completion ceremony for the First Phase of Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line (Marina – Mile 2), at the National Theatre Blue line station, Iganmu, Lagos.

According to the Governor, in 1902, a tramway system was launched here in the city of Lagos, connecting the Mainland to Lagos Island. That tramway quickly became an important part of social and commercial life in early 20th-century Lagos.

“Now, 120 years later, we are remaking history with the completion of yet another historic rail line, the first phase of the Blue Line of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT).

Let me make it clear that today is not the commissioning of the inaugural phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit. What we are gathered for, is to commemorate the completion of the project construction.

In the first quarter of 2023, we will put together a fitting official commissioning. Until then, we have an important phase of test-running to carry out, to ensure that everything is in place and in order, for the kick-off of full commercial operations.

The first phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line stretches from Marina to Mile 2, covering five Stations and a 13- kilometre stretch, out of the total of 27km that is the entire Blue Line, and will run from Marina to Okokomaiko.”

More photos are below:

L-R: Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa in the Train during the ceremony.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu on a ride on the Blue Line Rail during the commemoration of completion ceremony for the First Phase of Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line (Marina – Mile 2), at the National Theatre Blue line station, Iganmu, on Wednesday, 21 December 2022.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu (middle) flanked by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat (right); Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Engr. Abimbola Akinajo (left) followed by the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde and others.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu addressing dignitaries and stakeholders during the commemoration of the completion ceremony for the First Phase of Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line (Marina – Mile 2), at the National Theatre Blue line station, Iganmu, on Wednesday, 21 December 2022.