LASG counsels Lagosians on safety along rail lines

In its bid to prevent accidents on the rail lines in the state, the Lagos State Government has charged community leaders, local government chairpersons, railway transport operators, and regulators to enlighten residents on the need to be safety conscious and avert hazards on the state’s rail lines.

The Lagos State Safety Commission made the plea on Tuesday during a workshop organised by the Lagos State Safety Commission in conjunction with the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority in the Gbagada area of the state.

This call follows the inauguration of the Blue and Red Lines rail.

On March 9, 2023, no fewer than six persons were confirmed dead by the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital after a bus rapid transit attempting to cross a rail track rammed into a moving train. The train reportedly dragged the BRT from Shogunle to the PWD area of Ikeja before it finally stopped.

While speaking during a workshop tagged “Safe by design: Building a culture of railway safety in Lagos State,” the Director General of the commission, Lanre Mojola, said even though rail transportation remained a secure and cost-effective mode of travel, it was not without safety concerns.

He said, “Across all facets of the railway system—be it tracks, level crossings, overpasses, underpasses, train cabins, or stations—we encounter risks that demand our unwavering attention. These risks include train collisions with pedestrians and vehicles, fire incidents, falls from heights, electrocution, train derailments, and entrapments, among others.

“In alignment with the commission’s mandate to preserve lives by preventing accidents, we have convened this workshop to sensitise the public, particularly our host communities, on effective strategies to avoid these hazards and mitigate their impact.

“Our seasoned railway experts and safety professionals will deliver relevant safety topics, carefully selected to underscore the importance of imbibing a culture of safety within this sector.”

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr Sesan Ogundeko, explained that the ministry had been entrusted with the task of ensuring the safety of lives and property across all sectors to drive socio-economic activity in the state.

He further emphasised the government’s commitment to railway safety, saying, “That’s why, in preparation for the upcoming Red Line rail and the continued operation of the Blue Line, we’ve organized this crucial railway safety sensitisation.

“This workshop serves a critical purpose: to educate the public and commuters about the occupational safety and health risks associated with railway systems. By familiarising yourselves with the safety protocols at stations, level crossings, and on-board trains, we can cultivate a collective awareness that safeguards everyone.”