Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has successfully finalized the procurement of additional trains essential for the efficient operations of the Lagos Blue Line and Red Line rail systems.
The acquisition was announced last week, and the deal was formally sealed on Monday following thorough inspections conducted by the Governor and his delegation in collaboration with CRRC Dalian Locomotive & Rolling Stock Co., a prominent Chinese state-owned rolling stock manufacturer.
In an update shared via his social media platform, Governor Sanwo-Olu, who is currently in China accompanied by the Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), among others, affirmed the completion of the transaction.
He conveyed that all necessary specifications for the trains have been meticulously finalized, payments have been made to CRRC Dalian, and delivery schedules from China to Lagos have been confirmed.
“Trains checked, production specifications finalized, payments made, and delivery dates from Dalian, China, to Lagos, Nigeria confirmed,” Governor Sanwo-Olu stated.
Moreover, he emphasized the significance of establishing joint maintenance agreements with CRRC Dalian, which boasts a rich history of over a century of manufacturing expertise, thus positioning them as one of the world’s leading train manufacturers.
These agreements are aimed at facilitating knowledge and skills transfer to local teams, ensuring sustainable maintenance and operation of the trains in Lagos.
“We are genuinely excited about this development, as Lagos anticipates and deserves excellence, connectivity, and modern technology in infrastructural development,” remarked Governor Sanwo-Olu, expressing his enthusiasm for the transformative impact these additions will bring to Lagos’ transportation landscape.
Prior to this milestone, Governor Sanwo-Olu had announced the impending procurement of additional rolling stock, emphasizing the government’s commitment to enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the Lagos Blue Line and Red Line rail systems.
In a related development, the Lagos State Government, through LAMATA, initiated the first of several test runs along the 37-km Red Line Rail on Monday.
This marks a significant step toward the commencement of operations in the first quarter of 2024, underscoring the government’s dedication to advancing public transportation infrastructure in Lagos.
