The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has handed over the reconstructed Mushin Public Primary School to the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in Lagos.
Recall that school building was demolished earlier to pave way for the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line rail project.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Managing Director, LAMATA, Mrs Abimbola Akinajo, who was represented by the Director, Rail, LAMATA, Mr Olasunkanmi Okusaga, said the building had 12 classrooms, four staff rooms, 14 restrooms and 4 stores.
Akinajo also observed that the classrooms had been built to accommodate over 350 pupils, stating that the construction projects that affected the school were the Mushin Train Station and the overpass.
The Managing Director said in 2021, SUBEB was consulted on the rail project and how it would affect the Mushin Public Primary School.
Her words: “As an advocate of city development, it welcomed the project and wholeheartedly supported our proposal to demolish the school and build another one at a new location. I hope that SUBEB would maintain this school, which has been built to specification and of world-class standard, for the education of our children in an atmosphere that would promote good teaching and great learning.”
“It is my pleasure to handover this building to SUBEB for the education of our children and to the benefit of our state.”
Akinajo said the agency knew how difficult if must have been for the board to come to accept that the school had been demolished and the pupils distributed to other schools, thus, she apologized to the children and their parents for the additional burden on them.
The Red Line is a 37-kilometre rail road from Agbado in Ogun State to Marina in Central Lagos and when fully developed, it will move more than one million passengers daily.
Akinajo said this is the reason the agency is currently working on the first phase of the rail line from Agbado to Oyingbo.
“The second phase will take it across the lagoon to Marina, already designated as an interchange where all modes of transport shall meet for seamless transfers to different parts of Lagos. The Governor has given his word that the Red Line and indeed the first phase of the Blue line from Marina to Mile 2, would be ready for passenger operation by the first quarter of 2023,” she said.
Meanwhile, the SUBEB Chairman, Mr. Wahab Alawiye-King, who was represented by its Board Secretary, Mr. Lamidi Hakeem, commended the state government for providing another edifice for pupils to study.
Alawiye-King appreciated the parents and the community leaders for approving the present school location which was handed over to the school management.
“We need to appreciate Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for being not just a sayer but also a doer. We also appreciate LAMATA for its commitment to be responsible, to maintain the school environment,” he said.
Also speaking at the handing over, the Pemanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Abayomi Abolaji, commended LAMATA for following what was laid down for the new edifice, even as he noted that the government was working towards ensuring the state had 21st century-look.
The Community Development Association Area Chairman, Adebimpe Ori-Odi (CDA), Mr Idris Quadri, also thanked the governor for giving their children another opportunity to continue their education in a conducive environment.
Quadri, however, pleaded with the school management to maintain high standards in terms of cleanliness and urged the parents to endeavour to bring their children to school.