The Lagos state government in Nigeria
has approved plans to build the first light rail system in West Africa. Plans
call for seven double-track lines across the state but initial construction
will be limited to two lines -- the Red and Blue. The government plans to begin awarding construction contracts by
the end of the year and will accept bids from both local and international
investors. Voice of America English to
Africa Service reporter Jacqueline Ogoh in Lagos says traffic in Lagos is often
a mess. Workers face a daily challenge
just getting to and from work.
With more than 13 million people
driving some three million private cars and 75,000 commercial vehicles,
the Nigerian port city needs to find a solution.
Government officials say they have
one - a light rail system that can move 40,000 passengers an hour on two
lines.
"When you are talking of mega
cities, the mass transportation system has a back bone called rail mass
transportation system," said Ayo Mobereola, the managing
director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority. "We must have a mass transportation system in Lagos. It's
long overdue. We have invited international consultants to give us preliminary
designs and to give us feasibility study."
Lagos has a strong economy, but
government officials say the state can double its gains if an efficient rail
transport system is in place.
The current rail system is poorly
maintained and cars are often overloaded, with passengers hanging dangerously
by the door or sitting on top of the train.
A quick survey of passengers hurrying
to catch the first train of the day at 6 a.m. indicates strong public support
for the government's plans.
"From this old system they need an
improvement. They need new engines," said one passenger.
"This one takes more of the masses
than even the airplane," said another passenger. "So the government should look into it."
"There's always traffic jam,
traffic build-up along the roads," said one other passenger. "But when you ply the rail there's nothing
like traffic jam. You get to your place on time."
The Lagos state government introduced
a bus system in March, but there are not enough buses to move the state's huge
population. Long lines at bus terminals are the norm.
Mobereola says the new light rail
system will take care of this problem, with both the Red and Blue Lines
carrying passengers from the mainland to Lagos Island - the country's economic
hub.
"The Island is where the economic activities of Lagos
is at the moment. So everybody on the mainland goes to the Island in the
morning for business, and in the evening they all descend this way to go home.
So we know that that is where the problem is. Ordinarily, people should not
walk more than 500 meters to get to a very good transportation system. But we
are also saying that this transportation system doesn't necessarily have to
carry you from point A to B. You can change in the middle. If you are going to
some other place, you can take a rail system, change to bus system or change to
water system, to take you to your final destination.'
Lagos state has not announced the total cost of the project,
but officials say they will seek competitive, international bids to build the
system, maintain tracks and provide coaches.
The Red and Blue lines are expected to be begin operation by
2011.
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