RED LINE RAIL: GRIDLOCK LOOMS AS PRESIDENT TINUBU VISITS LAGOS

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Major sections of Lagos are experiencing traffic congestion as President Bola Tinubu arrives in the state today.

This is in the midst of the traffic jam that has already developed on the way to Lagos Island and the surrounding areas as a result of the Third Mailand Bridge’s shutdown for maintenance.

Following the bridge’s shutdown for maintenance on Wednesday, commuters who chose not to use it endured longer hours stuck in traffic on nearby routes.

The bridge will be closed until 12:00 on Thursday, February 29, 2024, as per a statement signed on Monday by Olukorede Kesha, the Federal Controller of Works for Lagos State. The shutdown of the bridge began at noon on Wednesday, February 28.

“The Federal Ministry of Works wishes to inform the motoring public that in continuation of the ongoing rehabilitation works on the Third Mainland Bridge, both bounds of the carriageways of the bridge would be closed to traffic from noon on February 28, Wednesday, to noon on Thursday, February 29, 2024; to allow the contractor execute a major aspect of the ongoing repair works on the bridge,” the statement said.

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority in a post on its X handle, @Lamataonline, on Wednesday, said President Tinubu was expected to unveil the Red Rail Line.

“Lagos is abuzz with preparations as the President gears up to visit the city for the much-anticipated launch of the Red Line rail infrastructure,” the post partly read.

Before it was unveiled on February 24, Lagos State Governor Babjide Sanwo-Olu tested the Lagos Red Line.

Sanwo-Olu also examined rail lines, tracks, and passenger amenities such as handrails, seats, cooling systems, and safety measures.

Taking to his X handle, he wrote, “The Red Line Rail Project which I performed the groundbreaking on April 15, 2021 is a momentous step towards a connected and sustainable Lagos.

“Excitement is in the air as we gear up for the commissioning of the project by Mr President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, GCFR, on February 29, 2024.”

Meanwhile, President Tinubu will on Thursday depart Lagos for a two-day official visit to the State of Qatar.

The visit, which is on the invitation of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, will “further strengthen cooperation between the two nations in several areas, including security, cultural exchange, and economic development,” read a statement by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.

The statement was titled: ‘President Tinubu honours invitation to visit Qatar and participate in business and investment forum.‘