The Lagos State House of Assembly is working on a bill for a robust legal structure for the establishment, management, and operation of a state-owned railway corporation.

The speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, disclosed this at a one-day public hearing on a bill to establish the Lagos State Corporation (LASRAWCO) in Lagos on Wednesday.

The bill is titled “A Bill for a Law to Establish the Lagos State Railway Corporation and for Connected Matters, 2025.”

Railway service is now in the concurrent list following the amendment of the 1999 Constitution.

Mr Obasa, represented by the deputy speaker, Mojisola Meranda, said the establishment of a corporation would enable the state to provide reliable railway services to decongest traffic on the road and reduce travel time.

“This proposed legislation represents yet another bold step and giant stride in the state government’s continued efforts to enhance the welfare and quality of life of the people of the state.

“Railway transportation, as we know, is a critical component of modern infrastructure and social service delivery. It forms one of the bedrocks of efficient, safe, and cost-effective movement, facilitating trade, commerce, and economic growth.

“Rail transport remains reliable, affordable, environmentally friendly, and highly efficient in terms of passenger capacity and sustainability,” he said.

Mr Obasa said Section 26 of the bill provided for the appointment of an inspector of railways, with the task to uphold safety and operational integrity.

He explained that the inspector would conduct regular inspections of coaches and tracks, offer professional recommendations, and ensure that passenger safety is paramount.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the chairman of the House Committee on Transportation, Temitope Adedeji, said the establishment of the corporation would ease the movement of people and goods.

Mr Adedeji, representing Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 1, explained that the establishment of the corporation would reduce traffic congestion, stimulate economic growth, and improve the overall quality of life of residents.

“As we are all aware, the state stands at a pivotal moment in its infrastructural and economic development, with the ever-growing population and the corresponding demand for efficient and reliable transportation.

“Therefore, the need to establish a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for the operation and regulation of railway services within the state has become both timely and necessary,” he said.

Speaking, the state’s commissioner for transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, noted that the proposed law mandates the corporation to undertake planning for future expansions, including the Purple, Green, and Orange Lines, which are soon to be introduced.

The commissioner said the corporation would draw inspiration from countries such as the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Japan, renowned for their efficiency and innovation in rail transport.

The director-general of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola, called for the inclusion of the commission in the composition of the governing board of the proposed corporation.

(NAN)