The Lagos Blue Light Rail project may begin operation before Christmas, 2022, according to a report by The Nation.
The Blue line is currently undergoing a test run to certify it ready for commercial operation.
Work began on the Blue line in 2006 as a World Bank-assisted project.
It was inherited by Governor Babatunde Fashola, who made it a priority project and took it to about 80 per cent completion when he left office in 2015.
The paucity of funds plagued the project, forcing the last administration to abandon it until it was revitalised by the Sanwo-Olu administration in 2021.
Lagos is the only sub-national in Africa to embark on an intra-city metro rail project.
The 13km rail project from Mile 2 to Marina, which is electric, will be the first Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) propelled Metrorail engine in sub-Saharan Africa.
It would run exclusively on a dedicated Independent Power Plant (IPP), which further pushes the state’s commitment to cleaner energy and a sustainable environment.
Sources said all five train stations on the corridor are almost ready.
A source in the CCECC, the contractor handling the projects, said all the train stations at Mile 2, Orile, Alaba, National Theatre and Marina were nearly set for us.
Meanwhile, the Management of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) said the Abuja-Kaduna train operation would resume today.
The train service was suspended after an attack on the rail facility on March 28.
Over eight months after the attack, the NRC in a statement at the weekend asked passengers to expect an increase in ticket fares.
The Minister of Transportation had last week during an inspection of the facility said there will no longer be night trips.
The Corporation, however, said there will be two return trips between Abuja and Kaduna daily.
The statement reads in part: “This is to inform the general public that NRC on the directive of the Federal Government through the Ministry of Transportation will resume the Abuja Kaduna Passenger train service on Monday 5th December 2022.
“The service will commence with two return services.
“The commuting public is hereby advised that as part of the new security measures on the Abuja-Kaduna service, it is now mandatory to present the National Identification Number (NIN) before being allowed to board the train.
“No access will be allowed into the departure or arrival hall without a valid ticket and purchase of a ticket by proxy is only limited to minors and a specified number of adult passengers.”
The corporation said all individual adult travellers must submit their NIN before the ticket can be issued.
It also noted that online and mobile app ticket purchases would be available from yesterday, adding that ticket offices at the stations will be open from 06:30 am today.
The NRC solicited the cooperation of passengers in ensuring that the service remains safe and secure.
The Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Usman Alkali Baba, has deployed security personnel on the corridor.
The operatives were drawn from the Police Mobile Force, K-9, Force Intelligence Bureau, Explosive Ordnance Unit and Railway Police Command, The Nation reported.