By Akanimo Sampson
Not less than 263 properties in Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria, will be facing the bulldozer to pave a way for the 37-kilometre Lagos State Rail Mass Transit, known as Red Line project.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has already performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the rail project on Friday.
According to the governor, the affected properties are located in Iju, Agege, Ikeja, Mushin, Yaba and Oyingbo.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said the properties have 2, 341 tenants and business owners who have been notified of the development.
Interestingly, the Lagos State Government has evaluated the affected properties, and compensation, according to the governor, paid.
The flag-off of the payment was carried out in Ikeja, the state capital, with cheques presented to some of the property owners and tenants.
The standard gauge Red Line project has 12 proposed stations and is divided into two phases.
It will share tracks with the Lagos-Ibadan Railway Modernisation Projects.
“Three of the stations will be constructed with the Lagos – Ibadan Railway Modernisation Project by the Federal Government at Agbado, Agege and Ebute Metta Junction.
‘’The remaining six would be constructed as independent stations at Iju, Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushin Yaba and Oyingbo.
“The phase two which would be mostly elevated would have stations at Iddo and Ebute-Ero before terminating at Marina where a huge interchange is planned to manage commuters on the Red, Green and Blue Rail lines, BRT buses and those using the waterways.
“Some of the unique characteristics of the Red Line is its integration with the Ikeja Bus Terminal, Oshodi-Abule-Egba Bus Rapid Transit, the future Orange Line, which goes from Ikeja to Agbowa, and the General Aviation Terminal One of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport through a skywalk.
‘’This the particular station which has been appropriately named Ikeja Train Centre also has facilities for park and ride and commercial spaces.
‘’Also, the Oshodi Train Station will integrate with the Oshodi Bus Terminal and provision for adequate park and ride services and commercial spaces”, the governor said.
