The Lagos State House of Assembly has initiated legislative efforts on a bill aimed at constructing a comprehensive legal infrastructure for the establishment, administration, and operational oversight of a state-owned railway corporation.
The proposed legislation, entitled “A Bill for a Law to Establish the Lagos State Railway Corporation and for Related Matters, 2025,” aspires to lay down a meticulously structured foundation for an efficient rail transportation system within the state.
During a one-day public hearing on the bill convened on Wednesday in Lagos, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, articulated that the initiative reflects the government’s unwavering commitment to revamping transportation facilities and enhancing the quality of life for its residents.
Obasa, represented by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Mojisola Meranda, articulated that the inception of the corporation would bolster mobility, alleviate road congestion, and curtail travel durations throughout the state.
“This proposed legislation signifies yet another audacious and visionary stride in the Lagos State Government’s relentless pursuit to elevate the well-being and quality of life of its citizenry,” he asserted.
“Railway transportation remains an indispensable element of contemporary infrastructure. It guarantees safe, economical, and environmentally sustainable transit of individuals and commodities while stimulating trade, commerce, and economic advancement,” he further elaborated.
The Speaker also detailed that Section 26 of the bill mandates the appointment of an Inspector of Railways, whose duties will encompass performing regular assessments of trains and tracks, providing expert recommendations, and ensuring the safety and operational excellence of railway services.
In his comments, the Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation, Hon. Temitope Adedeji, emphasized that the proposed corporation would be instrumental in facilitating the movement of individuals and goods across the state.
Adedeji, who represents Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 1, characterized the bill as timely and imperative, given the rapidly escalating population of Lagos and the increasing demand for a modern, dependable transportation framework.
“With the state at a crucial juncture in its infrastructural and economic evolution, there exists an urgent necessity to create a robust legal and institutional blueprint to regulate and operate railway services with utmost efficiency,” he concluded.
