Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor of Lagos Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Chinese ambassador to Nigeria Cui Jianchun attended the inauguration ceremony of the first phase of the China-built electric-powered light rail project in Nigeria’s southwestern state of Lagos State on Tuesday.

At the banquet ceremony held at Lagos State, the president described the project as “historic”, stating that the railway project will reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, as it will improve the lives of locals.

The project was operated by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), with its completed tracks spanning about 13km in the first phase and covering five stations.

The Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line Project is the first rail infrastructure crossing Okokomaiko a very crowded area in the western part of Lagos, and Marina, a business district on Lagos Island.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun said that the first completed phase of the project speaks harmony in the China-Nigeria relationship. 

In his words, he said, “it is a line of speed, line of sustainability, line of harmony”.

Also, the president was present for the contract signing ceremony for the construction of the second phase of the LRMT Blue Line Project by the Lagos metropolitan area transport authority and the CCECC. 

Governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu said that the iconic Marina Station has a capacity of processing about 25,ooo passengers per hour. 

He said that the Blue Line Project will help save time while traveling, improve citizens’ quality of life, and make the state one of the most buoyant cities in Africa.