THE
much expected Lagos metro line project may soon take off, sequel to the sealing
of pacts by relevant stakeholders.
The
scheme, which has already attracted $2.4 billion investment plan from the
private sector, is expected to ferry 1.8 million daily from Agbado in Ogun
State to Iddo in Lagos State.
Already,
The Marina Express Train Service Ltd (METSL) has sealed pact with The
Infrastructure Bank (TIB) to construct the proposed Lagos Metro Rail Transit
(LMRT) Red Line.
Minister
of Transport, Senator Idris Umar made the disclosure at the weekend in Abuja at
the ceding and handing over of the Right of Way (ROW) for the Iddo-Agbado
Corridor for the proposed rail line scheme.
The
proposed Lagos State Mass Transit Train Services (MTTS), named “Red Line’’,has
been projected to significantly impact on the growth and development of the
Lagos-Ogun states’ industrial and economic zones.
The
Minister discloded that “the royalties due to the Nigeria Railway Corporation
(NRC), arising from the use of the corridor by the Lagos State government over
the life of the project shall be valued. It shall be converted to Federal
Government equity in the consortium that will implement and manage the project
over the concession period.
“As
such, Federal Government’s participation will provide needed impetus for
follow up on investors and is a major investment showcase for Nigeria’s economy
to global investment community,’’ he said.
Umar
expressed delight over the request by Lagos State Government for the Federal
Government to release the Eastern section of the existing NRC Right of Way in
Lagos.
“I
consider it a welcome idea knowing fully well that such development will boost
the economic fortunes of the state which will eventually spread to other states
in the country.
“The
request was treated with dispatch with the constitution of a technical
committee to look into the possibility of sharing the existing NRC rail
corridor in Lagos without interruption in the operation of the corridor.
“The
committee comprised representatives from Ministry of Transport, NRC, Lagos
state government and Lagos Area Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA),’’ he
said.
Umar
explained that the technical committee, in its report, noted that the Right of
Way of the existing narrow gauge rail corridor was 30 metres and could
accommodate five tracks of rail lines.
The
Minister said that this would be done with an integrated and well managed
independent signaling and telecommunications system adding that the Federal
Government also reviewed the recommendations of the technical committee and
granted approval.
Umar
explained that going by the approval, the Federal Fovernment and NRC would
occupy three rail tracks of the Western side of the corridor.
“The
three rail tracks consist of two for the proposed railway modernisation project
and one narrow gauge line for freight and passenger movement.
“Lagos
State Government and LAMATA will occupy two standard gauge two tracks on the
Eastern side of the corridor for the construction and operation of the standard
gauge Lagos state MTTS,’’ he said.
Umar
stressed that the state government would be responsible for the acquisition of
Right of Way and payment of compensation to communities within Lagos area.
This, he said, should be when the Federal Government commences the construction
of the Lagos-Abuja high speed project as well as the East West and Coastal rail
lines to run between Lagos and Aba via Shagamu-Benin-Onitsha-Owerri.
He
added that the Lagos State government would be responsible for the relocation
of the NRC infrastructure from the Eastern side to the Western side of the
track.
According
to him, in pursuant of the laudable project, as a leading member of the bidding
consortium, Marina Express Train Services Project, proposed a draft agreement.
Umar
said the agreement was between his ministry, NRC and the Lagos State government
on the sharing of the equity on the ROW of the existing rail corridor between
Iddo and Agbado.
source: The Guardian
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