By Wale Odunsi

SEE VIDEO BELOW

The trending video of some men pushing one of the Blue Line Rail trains has elicited severe criticism on social media.

The Marina Terminal (Marina – Mile 2) of the multi-billion naira 13km line was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari in January.

Nigerians are mocking the authorities over the video, which the Lagos State Government on Sunday labelled propaganda.

“Why would you commission a project then pause the service? Why would people push the train? No safety measures were even taken,” @TheOdor3 tweeted.

“Commissioned” for those saying it’s a test run. Lagos State Government invited Mr President for the purpose of commissioning projects. Dem dey test run wetin dem don commission?” @mandu_preye quipped.

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) issued a statement via Corporate Communication official, Kolawole Ojelabi.

LAMATA said the agency had seen a “doctored video clip showing four people purportedly pushing one of the train sets about to be deployed for passenger operations.”

“We discovered that the train was clearly moving, and these people purportedly “pushing” the train were behind it doing God knows what.

“From the average length of the trains, even 20 people can’t push it. Four people can’t push a container truck, talk less of a four-car train set.”

The spokesperson appealed to the public to be wary of “those bent on doing everything possible to discredit the rail project”.

Ojelabi added that residents who have interacted with the Lagos rail system know it’s “a game changer”.

Video:

https://twitter.com/i/status/1642252199873880066