Govt to deliver Blue Line rail project by Dec 2016

LAGOS State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday reassured that the Okokomaiko to Marina Blue Line rail project would be completed by December 2016. Ambode, who spoke at this year’s Community Day celebration in Lagos, said the rail project is one of the people-oriented priorities of his administration, and part of his focus on community development.

Upon completion, the rail project will convey over half a million passengers between Marina and Okokomaiko daily. It will be followed by the Red Line from Agbado to Lagos, Ambode promised. The governor said: “These Rail Projects will run as we expand junctions, build flyovers, rehabilitate thousands of roads and open more waterways to move millions of our people to work and home.”

At the colourful event attended by about 50,000 residents from 3,241 Community Development Associations (CDAs) in the state, all dressed in aso-ebi to-match attire, Ambode reiterated his government’s commitment to community development as well as intensifying security of life and properties. He said his government had initiated a bottom-to-top approach to governance by making communities major part of decision-making process.

To improve on security in the communities, Ambode said his government had donated to the Neighbourhood Watchers 48 patrol vans, 385 walkie talkies, 11 base and repeater stations, 1,150 uniforms, 570 handcuffs, 1,150 belts, berets and boots to equip them.

Side attractions at the celebration, held at the Police College ground, Ikeja, include match-past by all the CDAs from all the 57 local councils in the state, while prizes were also given to the CDAs who executed the best self-help projects. The governor also presented 48 patrol vans to the Neighbourhood Watchers.

Commissioner for local government and community affairs, Muslim Folami, commended the CDAs for partnering with the state government through various self-help projects that they are undertaking to improve the lots of the people.

Special Adviser on community and communication, Kehinde Bamigbetan, also commended the state governor, describing him as “a philosopher of community consciousness, an advocate of communal renaissance, a defender of the family and community as the critical pillar for sustainable governance.”