RED LINE RAIL PROJECT: LASUBEB MEETS WITH STAKEHOLDERS ON RELOCATION OF AFFECTED SCHOOLS

As part of its statutory responsibility to ensure a safe and conducive teaching-learning environment for pupils, the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), the Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and Chairman, Odi-Olowo Ojuwoye LCDA, have met to deliberate on the relocation of Mushin Primary School at Odi-Olowo Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area of the State affected by the proposed Red line rail project.

The Executive Chairman of LASUBEB, Mr. Wahab Alawiye-King, stated that the meeting was necessitated by the planned demolition of the school to pave a way for the railway project, noting that it is the Board’s duty to ensure the wellbeing and welfare of the pupils and staff by seeking the most suitable relocation for everyone concerned in order to ensure that learning continues.

While working on modalities to relocate the School with the Social Mobilisation Committee, Education Secretary and the Executive Chairman Mushin Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, Alawiye-King inspected Bereola Memorial Nursery and Primary School and Shyllon Primary School Ilupeju, among other alternatives.

Earlier, Mr. Kolawole Ojelabi, Assistant Director, Corporate Communications in LAMATA, disclosed that the rail line from Marina en route Alagbado will pass through Mushin and a flyover bridge to be constructed will affect Mushin Primary School situated at Ogunmokun Street, Mushin.

He explained that the Red Line rail is designed to meet modern rail transportation standards and will, unavoidably, affect the Primary School, hinting that the Agency has been given an ultimatum to complete the project within 24 months.

Ojelabi further stated that the project will be constructed to create a pedestrian crossing to avoid the railway, noting that LAMATA has been mandated to separate the rail movement and pedestrian movement, thus the school and some buildings will be demolished within the Odi-Olowo Community.

Mr. Razak Ajala, Executive Chairman of Odi-Olowo LCDA, said that LASUBEB has not left the Local Government out in the decision making, assuring that the Council is ready to work with the Board to find a suitable alternative for the students and staff of the school.

“As the project is important to the residents, the school is equally important to us, for it is located at the heart of the LCDA. We have various options and part of it is to relocate the school to another area within the community or we relocate it to one of the existing facilities in the LCDA”, he added.