Lagos Red Line to Begin Test-run.

On Thursday, The Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State, Gbenga Omotosho, said that the Red Line Rail would soon be test run for two months.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy said this at a news conference which was held at Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, where he reiterated the government’s commitment to making life better for residents of the state.

Residents have patiently been waiting for the commencement of commercial operations on the red line since its inauguration by President Bola Tinubu on Feb. 29.

It is predicted to convey 500,000 passengers daily initially, when operational.

The 37 km rail line integrates key bus terminals at Oyingbo, Yaba, Oshodi, Ikeja, and Iju. It also extends to Agbado in Ogun State.

The state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had said that Lagos aimed to unlock over ₦4trn annually in lost work hours that its productive manpower loses in traffic.

He said the state was set to revolutionize commuter experiences while tackling challenges like traffic congestion and road safety.

Omotosho, while giving the update on the red line rail, said the Sanwo-Olu administration would further explain its development projects during its annual ministerial briefings beginning on April 23.

“With various ongoing projects across the state, it is evident enough that Mr governor has consistently delivered on his commitment towards the socio-economic development of residents.

“In the health sector, the construction of the Pediatric Hospital at Adeniji Adele has been rapid, also the Badagry General Hospital is gradually taking shape.

“The Red Line Rail will soon be test run for two months.

“Our annual ministerial briefing will kick off from April 23 to May 28; all ministries will give account of their stewardship in the last year since our administration’s second term in office first year anniversary,” he said.

Proposing an intervention for teachers and healthcare workers who can’t work remotely, the commissioner said adequate compensation had been made for them.

He said, “Yes, they are compensated; we understand the peculiarity of the job they do, nobody is left out of Gov. Sanwo-Olu’s welfare program,” 

Recall that the government had given its workers some days to work from home, to reduce their financial burdens in the face of the rising cost of living.

The arrangement could, however, not include some workers like teachers who had to be in school physically on every working day.