JICA Presents Survey on Lagos Railway Project

A comprehensive survey on Lagos urban railway development project has been presented to LAMATA by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Various presentations were made by the study team, made up of Japan International Consultants for Transportation (JIC); Yachiyo Engineering (YEC); Chuo Fukken Consultants (CFK); and Fukken Engineering (FKE).

In the outline of the study and findings, the team leader, Mr. Akiyama Yoshihiro said, “This preparatory survey is based on Terms of Reference between JICA and LAMATA in August

2015. The route of this preparatory survey has been selected through 1st and 2nd Data Collection Survey by JICA in 2013 and 2014.”

He said the objectives of the project are to develop a new transportation system, (e.g. AGT=Automated

Guideway Transit, Monorail) that would “help mitigate traffic

congestion and improve the environment in Lagos State, and

formulate a plan to introduce the new transportation system; formulate a concrete plan to introduce the new transportation

system as an ODA loan project; formulate a plan to introduce the new transportation system that can demonstrate the strength of the Japanese system.

“New Transportation systems” indicate intermediate transit systems between Tram/ Bus and MRT (Mass Rapid Transit)

Railway development plan in Lagos metropolitan area.

The first phase would be from Marina to Ikoyi and Victoria Island. The “Route Planning covers 15km-length connecting from Marina to BIS Way with two ways in both islands.”

On environmental and social considerations, he said there would be “less adverse impacts on the natural environment are expected from the project. Resettlement would be unlikely on the project route except the informal settlers.

According to the Deputy Team Leader, Mr. Yasuhiro Yamauchi,

the project is a Transit Oriented Development

(TOD) in Lagos.

He explained that TOD had public-transportation-urban-development-connection with pedestrian network, ICT technology, among others to ensure urban sustainability.

He said it leads to shortening of trips, allows walking/cycling inside town and that intercity trips would be covered by Rail.

On Route Planning, Mr. Kenji Ohishi said the objective is to review the route plan of Victoria Monorail Line in revised STMP and consider possible route options for this project; to propose the best route plan for this project.

Giving the Basic Concept of Route Planning, he said, “Basically within the existing road space (median and sidewalk, etc.) to minimize obstructions and land acquisition; Good connectivity with other transport modes and Eko Atlantic City; Station location with consideration of the attractive facilities location, etc.”

On land acquisition and resettlement, LAMATA intends to use the existing road Right of Ways (ROWs) for the project to avoid land acquisition and resettlement wherever possible. Therefore, resettlement would be unlikely occurred.

However, informal settlers may reside in a part of Muri Okunola Street which has not been completed (dead-end and unpaved), and they would be relocated.

Besides, the depot may require five hecters land, and some curve sections and station sites may require land acquisition if the existing road ROWs are not enough space for the construction.

The way forward, he said would be “less adverse impacts on the natural environment are expected from the project. Resettlement would be unlikely occurred on the project route except the informal settlers; Land acquisition can be minimized in the existing road ROWs.

The depot may require five hectres land acquisition; Lagos state government is responsible for land; acquisition and resettlement with compensation and necessary measures.

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