Dipo Olowookere
Lagos State has collaborated with Japan on the construction of an urban rail line that would cost about $1billion.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Transportation in the state, Dr Dayo Mobereola, during a seminar organised by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) in conjunction with the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
The Commissioner said much of the project would be funded by the private sector, while the state would pay compensation where existing structures were affected.
Mobereola pointed out that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Lagos comes mainly from the Marina-Victoria Island-Ikoyi axis and that the area constitutes major attraction for business in the state.
Also speaking at the programme, Acting Managing Director, LAMATA, Iyiola Adeboye, explained that the project was aimed at ensuring smooth transportation and reducing gridlock in Lagos State.
The LAMATA boss disclosed that the agency carried out a survey titled ‘Lagos Urban Railway Development Project in the Federal Republic of Nigeria’ alongside the Japanese company to find out the best system that suits the state.
It was disclosed that after the survey, an Automated Guide Transit type of monorail was found out to be the best for Lagos.
According to LAMATA boss, based on the study, the monorail project, to link Marina, Victoria Island and Ikoyi, would curb traffic congestion and improve the environment in state.
