The 2023 Lagos State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Funso Doherty, has asked Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to explain the role of the Federal Government in the proposed Lagos Green Line rail project.
Recall that the state government earlier this month signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) in Beijing, China, on the rail project.
Sanwo-Olu, who announced the signing of the MoU in a statement, disclosed that MOFI and CHEC would be leading the design, financing, and operation of the project.
Currently, Lagos has two rail lines – the Blue Line and Red Line. While the Blue Line commenced passenger operations in September 2023, the Red Line, which was commissioned in February, is yet to commence passenger operations.
The Green Line is a 68km rail line designed to run from the Lekki Free Zone to Marina, connecting with the Blue Line at Marina.
But in a letter dated September 21, 2024, and addressed to Sanwo-Olu, which was sighted by The Guardian, Doherty questioned the governor on how the state intends to manage long-term risks regarding the project with Federal Government involvement.
“Considering the deep embedding of the Federal Government in a project that is vital to Lagos State, how does LASG plan to mitigate any future risks, especially beyond the current administration?” he asked.
The chartered accountant stated that it is important for Sanwo-Olu to explain to Lagosians if the MoU is binding or exploratory, adding that if it is binding, the process through which CHEC was selected as the vendor should be detailed.
He said: “The definitive language used in the press release and the elaborate signing ceremony with large delegations on both sides suggest a binding commitment. If the MoU is merely exploratory and non-binding, the public may be misled by such fanfare.
“If the agreement is binding, through what process was CHEC selected as the vendor? Transparency is essential, especially for a project of this scale. Were any other vendors given the opportunity to bid competitively for this service?”
Doherty, who recently joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), noted that these questions are critical, “particularly in light of LASG’s track record” with mass transit rail projects.
“For instance, the 27km Blue Line Rail, initiated 13 years ago, is still incomplete, with only a 13 km section operational,” he said.
According to LAMATA data, over the past year, the Blue Line has served only 2 million passenger rides, an average of 5,500 rides per day.
“Moreover, the Red Line Rail, which was ‘commissioned’ in February this year, has still not commenced passenger operations, despite much anticipation.
“Your Excellency, mass rail transit that operates effectively and at scale is critical for the future of Lagos State. We must learn from past missteps. Instead of making premature, grandiose announcements that raise expectations but deliver little, we should focus on well-planned projects with sound governance, accountability, and disciplined procurement processes. This will ensure that every naira spent delivers real value to Lagosians in a timely manner.
“I trust that these considerations will be taken into account as we move forward with the Green Line Rail and other vital infrastructure projects,” Doherty added.