NRC inspects Lagos Blue Line ahead of licence approval

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has inspected the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line, a critical step towards securing a three-year operational license for the electric rail system.

This development was announced through a statement on the official Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) X account. According to the statement, the inspection, led by NRC’s Director of Operations, Akin Osinowo, evaluated the infrastructure, operations and independent power plant of the line.

Following the inspection, the NRC expressed satisfaction with the system’s overall performance. The statement indicated that once the Blue Line meets all NRC operational standards, it will be granted an operational license valid for three years.

“The NRC has expressed satisfaction with the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line, following an extensive inspection of its infrastructure and operations.

“The inspection is a crucial step towards obtaining an operational license for the Blue Line being operated by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).

“Led by Director of Operations at NRC, Akin Osinowo, the inspection team commended the Lagos State Government for pioneering electric rail transportation in Nigeria. The team scrutinized the entire Blue Line system, including its independent power plant,” the statement read in part.

It added: “The operational license, valid for three years, will be granted upon meeting the NRC’s operational standards.” The statement also noted that before the Blue Line began passenger operations in September 2023, the NRC was reviewed and approved for safety by the Government Inspector of Railways (GIR), a body within the Federal Ministry of Transport.