A source close to the project consultants told Business Day that contract for the project is about to be awarded and will be in two parts: design-build contract, and request for the expression of interest for the operations.“Those expressing interest must have partners experienced in rail operations,†the source said.
The rail mass transit system will consist of two separate projects branded as Blue and Red lines.
The Blue Line which is projected to cost $700 million will run East-West along a 27- kilometre corridor starting at Okokomaiko and terminating at Marina. The Red Line on the other hand will run North-South along a 31- kilometre corridor, starting at Agbado and terminating at Marina.
Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) managing director, Dayo Mobereola, told Business Day that when completed the Blue Line will be lifting 300,000 – 400,000 passengers per day while the Red line will lift 1.3 million. That is, close to two million passengers will be lifted by both lines which are expected to be developed simultaneously.
According to Mobereola, the Blue Line will start with an initial eight coaches, to be extended later to 12 while the red Line will start with 12 coaches which will be extended to 16.
With respect to the fare to be charged on those routes, decision will be taken towards the conclusion of the project. But the LAMATA boss indicated that the agency would take into consideration existing bus fares but assured it would be reasonable and affordable.
They are looking at a fare between N100 and N130 from Okokomaiko and Agbado to Marina.
The project is not only aimed at regenerating the economy but also creating massive jobs for local operators in the construction industry. Both lines apart from creating 2,500 direct employment each will create thousands of jobs indirectly as well as other spin offs.
Mobereola said that 70 percent of the materials to be used will be sourced locally with imports limited to expertise for technical services.
Certainly, a number of buildings are likely to be affected by the construction of the rail lines. Whether or not compensation is going to be paid is the major worry of people whose property may fall victim of the projects.
Mobereola said there is no cause for worry as such a loss could be a blessing in disguise as government has taken into consideration the need to pay some compensation to the affected people.
That is not the only area of possible friction that may affect the project deadlines. The other may have to do with use of Federal Government structures. On this, the LAMATA stated that the Lagos State government and the Federal Government as well as the Federal Ministry of Transport and the Nigerian Railway Corporation are working together on the project.