By: Nwanma Ogidi
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Lagos blue rail metro line will be open to the public in April.
It was a 22 minutes ride from the marina to mile2, for the testing ride of the blue rail which was an excellent and interesting experience
The Lagos blue rail is part of the Lagos state government’s tourism master plan development activities. The Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture workers, school children, tourism professionals, members of the public and journalist have a new story to tell Lagosians on the ease of transportation in Lagos.
As the train passed through Marina, National Theater, Igunmu, Alaba International market to Mile2, you can see participants joyfully move around exchanging greetings and engaging in conversations
The train ride gave ideas of other elements that could be added to tour itineraries during a Lagos city tour package.
Engineer Olasunkanmi Okusaga, Director of Rail Services, LAMATA made the introduction, while Mr. Kolawole Ojelabi, the Director of Corporate Communication, LAMATA, acted the role of a tour guide on the Blue Rail testing ride from Marina to Mile 2.
Mr. Ojelade told journalists that the blue rail is expected to convey more than 250,000 passengers daily and will operate every 20 minutes.
Explaining further, he said the blue line is one of the six rail lines in our strategic transport master plan.
LAMATA officials also received participants and gave information on the different train projects as envisioned by Lagos State Government.
The scenery around the site of the magnificent Blue Rail terminus would endear visitors, tourists and excursionists, both domestic and international to the appreciation of the environment and Lagos as a unique state in Nigeria. It is obvious that the new Lagos rail system will improve and forever change the view of the transport system in the state.
Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture to continue to create a further partnership, open door policies and opportunities for tourism practitioners to contribute their professional knowledge, skill and experience in the development of tourism in the state.
Speaking with Waka About Africa, Alhaji Gbenga Sunmonu, Former FTAN Lagos Coordinator and the MD, of Complete Hospitality Services Limited, Said the Blue Rail testing ride was exciting and interesting, it’s a one-stop infrastructure that bides tourism growth in Lagos.
Sunmonu said that the blue rail has confirmed to us that the tourism potential in Lagos state is huge but it’s only when we are able to catch up with it that we can start to benefit from the opportunities inherent in tourism. He, therefore, thanks the governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu who has identified the importance of tourism and hospitality entrepreneurship in the economic development of the state.
Modeenat Olushola, a tourist professional and MD/CEO of Aventurine Travels Consults, spoke to our reporter, she said, it was fun, exciting and lovely. In her joyful mood, while the train was in motion, she said it has shown a better view of Lagos.
She, therefore, advises on the need to de-price to enable the government to sustain the standard and maintenance culture which is very important. She thanks governor Sanwo-Olu for this giant stride in Lagos State. On the mega rail project, she suggested that a permanent committee should be set up for the maintenance of this great landmark and hoped that it will continue to engage and partner with tourism professionals in its tourism development projects. The experience shows that the tourism potential in the state is unprecedented.
Tourism Professionals acknowledged the effects of the commissioner of Tourism, Art and Culture, Lagos State, Pharmacist Uzamat Akinbile Yussuff, for her consistency, support for laudable tourism programs and determination to develop the industry.
#Lagos Blue Rail Testing Ride
