On Tuesday, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu paid a visit to Talgo Inc, a train maker in Milwaukee, to attend a ceremony marking the purchase of two Series 8 trains for the state’s red line train project.

Milwaukee is the largest city in the state of Wisconsin in the United States.

The two trains were initially built for a high-speed rail route connecting Madison and Milwaukee in the United States, according to Milwaukee public radio (WPR).

In 2009, Jim Doyle, Wisconsin’s then-governor, a Democrat, ordered the trains. The state was awarded $810 million for the project in a federal stimulus bill. The project was dropped over contract terms with Talgo after Scott Walker, a Republican, took over from Doyle. It later resulted in a court battle.

The trains will be part of ‘West Africa’s first operational metro system,’ according to the newspaper.

Sanwo-Olu assessed the project for two weeks and confirmed that the first phase will begin operations before the end of the year.

The Blue Line is intended to travel from Okokomaiko to Marina, while the Red Line is intended to go from Agbado to Marina.
Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos will be served by the second phase.

“The Red Line, a 37 km track with 11 stations, will be the first operational metro system in West Africa,” according to a statement.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu alighting from a train coach during a factory tour of high-speed train manufacturers, Talgo Incorporated Company for the acquisition of two sets of brand new 10-car Metro Trains for Lagos Rail project, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, on Tuesday, 18 January 2022.

“Construction of the Red Line was originally approved in 2008; However, the project was delayed by a previous administration.

“With a population of 27 million Lagos is the most densely populated city in Africa. It is estimated by 2025 Lagos will be one of the five most populous cities in the world.

“Lagos currently suffers from a congested transport system with limited rail transport and a developing road network with nerve-wracking traffic.

“There are approximately 6 million individuals with daily transportation needs. In light of this, Sanwo-Olu has committed to bringing the Red Line project to fruition during his administration.

“More specifically, the governor expects operation of the first phase of the Red Line to begin by the last quarter of 2022 with a capacity of 500,000 passengers daily.

“Upon completion of the second phase, the Red Line will serve Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

“The purchase of rail equipment built by Talgo with Milwaukee qualified workers opens the door to future orders and job creation.”

According to WPR, Cavalier Johnson, the acting Milwaukee mayor, welcomed Sanwo-Olu, saying ‘it’s a little bittersweet’ that Milwaukee missed out on the trains that should have been operational in Milwaukee and Wisconsin.

“I’m sending my congratulations to the governor in Lagos State in Nigeria, but also a little disappointed that we missed out on the opportunity to have those trainsets operating here in Milwaukee and Wisconsin,” the report quoted Johnson as saying.

Rtn. Victor Ojelabi

Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.