Ogun and Lagos State Governments have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), on a 31km redline rail project from Oyingbo to Agbado,which will commence passenger operations in the first quarter of 2023.

Receiving the Lagos team in Abeokuta on behalf of Ogun State Government, Secretary to the State Government, Mr.Tokunbo Talabi said the development was another achievement from the synergy between the Governors of both States in taking advantage of their proximity to better their economies and the lives of their citizens.

Talabi stated that before now, significant achievements have been made by the two States through the Lagos/Ogun Joint Commission in the  areas of waterways and security, adding that the feat was another testament of more initiatives to be undertaken by the Commission.

He noted that integration of the transport system between the two States is highly probable for the benefits of both, saying such is critical to the civilisation  of any nation or State.

 According to the State’s scribe “Ogun and Lagos have the understanding of what will benefit each other and bring convenience to them due to their close proximity, as you know that we have lots of people living in Ogun, who work in Lagos and vice versa”.

Speaking with newsmen in Abeokuta after the signing of the MoU,  Commissioner for Transportation, Lagos State, Dr. Frederick Oladeinde informed that though the redline rail project is 31km but the first phase of 25km stretch from Oyingbo to Agbado already being constructed would be completed by the end of the year 2022, while passenger operations commences in the first quarter of 2023.

Oladeinde added that a train station and depot is being built in Ogun State, noting that the project would create a lot of employment opportunities and huge investment within the corridor for the States.

Contributing, his Ogun State counterpart, Engr. Gbenga Dairo hinted that the State government intends to latch on the initiative to extend train services beyond Agbado to other parts of Ogun State including Ijoko and Kajola, among others.

Dairo acknowledged the Lagos State Government’s initiative in investing massively in rail infrastructure, saying the two States are already taking advantage of the significant investment of the Federal Government through the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) along the Lagos/Ibadan standard gauge railway infrastructure, to ensure transportation is effective and efficient to serve the economic needs of Lagos and Ogun as the commercial nerve and industrial hub of the nation respectively.