A recent episode of the TechCity news update detailed the kickoff of commercial rail operations on the Lagos Blue Line. As producer of that news bulletin, I had a lot of mixed feelings.
The very first time I got on a train was when I was in primary school; in the 90’s. We had gone on an excursion to learn about the NRC (Nigerian Railway Corporation) and we shrieked in excitement at the speed we were told the train would be on. My recollection of everything else is a blur, but I remember how we besieged the coach with pure joy. Children. Under 10s.
Fast forward twenty something years later; the NRC has had a most unpleasant run over the years and while my excitement at the news of the new Lagos Blue line was more about urbanization at last, traffic decongestion and the contactless payment structure which was developed locally, I could not help but wonder, “why did it take this long?”
The new Blue Rail Line is a laudable development, but it is also long overdue. As a megacity, Lagos should have had a modern rail system decades ago.
According to the state government, Lagos is the sixth megacity in the world. It attained this status in 1995 when its population reached over 10 million people, per UN-Habitat. 1995. I was five years old at the time, and between 1995 and now, the word “megacity” has been used as a political campaign buzz word – at best – and “i beta pass my neighbour” banter by Lagosians on Twitter – at worst. Why did it take a megacity almost two decades to finally live up to its name?
In a viral video on social media, Lagosians jostle in excitement for seats on the new Blue line coaches. Adult Lagosians. Not because it is rush hour and people living and working in the most progressive part of Nigeria are doing what people who live in progressive areas do. It is joy and excitement over a new government project. For a state as “old” as Lagos, with the highest internally generated revenue, the optics are simply not good.
In metropolitan (mega)cities like London where millions of people commute daily from within the English capital and other parts of England, modern rail transportation is fundamental to ensuring that residents and visitors are able to pop in and out of London without any inhibition. Granted, the city is not without occasional (mild) traffic, but the many transportation options coupled with a functional road network makes the distribution of people to their locations better spread mathematically. It just makes sense.
How have Nigerians been missing out on this basic amenity for decades, only to be rejoicing in 2023. Ah.
The Blue Rail Line is a step in the right direction, but it is only a first step. The state government has a lot of catching up to do in this megacity (transportation) business. It needs to follow the Blue line launch with more solutions that will aid long distance travel, reduce traffic congestion and contribute better air quality. The air Lagosians are breathing is not megacity air. The vehicle emissions and diesel generators polluting the environment needs to be addressed.
Like other megacities, the Lagos state government needs to invest more creatively and sustainably in public transportation making it more attractive like in other climes. Lagos needs more rail lines and routes. It needs improved bus service – not agbero-run types. It also desperately needs safe and accessible sidewalks. Desperately.
Even more, the state government should roll out awareness campaigns on TV, radio and recorded voice messages playing on every coach that reminds passengers to “own the project” like Mr Governor said on X. Both Mr Governor and the LAMATA MD may need to do more than issue press statements, grant interviews or post warnings on X(Twitter). The whole train station should be inundated with sensitization. Go over the top with locally produced digital and traditional media campaigns.
At the kickoff of operations on the Blue line, the governor, Babajide Sanwoolu, thankfully, commented on security of the terminals. He said there was an infrastructure in place to check vandalism. Managing Director of LAMATA, Abimbola Akiajo expatiated by saying the rail tracks had been electrified, and warned Lagosians to steer clear of the tracks. She said 300 cameras are at every station and on the tracks for monitoring.
Per train schedules, a visit to the LAMATA website where Akiajo promised that the metro timetable would be published perhaps similar to the Transport for London shows no sign of the timetable. They are at the stations and on Google maps anyway.
One step at a time, eh?
Like venture capitalist Kola Oyeneyin mentioned in a LinkedIn post, these are baby steps and they must be acknowledged. Granted. However, this baby is in the fast lane and has a lot of older ones, so its growth should be rapid. Must be.
