Saw the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure and Tourism Development, Adesegun Oniru, on Silverbird television last night at the 60th birthday of Desmond Majekodunmi.

The birthday was commemorated with tree planting at the Silverbird TV station by Nollywood celebrities.

The commissioner was taken to task about the Lekki Beach erosion in front of the rolling cameras by Majekodunmi!

[size=14pt]He said that NIMASA ought to have done something about the shipwreck but gave his word that nevertheless, the state government would do something about it.

Mr. Commissioner, thank you for giving your word.

We hope your word will be your bond and that you would also do something about the illegal sand diggers along the waterfront.[/size]

Sorry guys, I have just seen this news report. It's actually more detailed that the ones I posted yesterday:

‘The sea eats our beach’ .
Thursday, 08 July 2010 00:00 By Armsfree Ajanaku Onomo News - Metro 

.•Disaster looms as an abandoned wreck causes severe coastline erosion in Lekki Beach

For the past four months, Lekki Beach, once a destination of choice for Lagosians and tourists from outside the state, has all but been deserted, no thanks to an abandoned shipwreck, which has been impeding the natural flow of the waves and ocean current.Now, residents, tourists and petty traders want government to remove the wreck so that the beach can come alive again.

ROTTEN trunks of dead and fallen coconut trees, washed up by tidal waves lay at the edge of the shoreline, surrounded by all manner of flotsam.
Beyond the edge, an angry ocean roared, crests of waves rising and falling.

In the past, quite a considerable number of people, maybe in the several hundreds, would have been at that particular area of Lekki Beach.
But that weekend, the place was deserted and none of the fun-seekers who had in the past enjoyed relaxing at the beach with their family and friends were there.

The Lekki Beach has fallen on times as turbulent as the angry waves in the ocean that had damaged the beach and carved out ugly-looking craters along what used to be a beautiful and pristine shoreline.

Scattered about too, were the obviously- deserted holiday tents that were on the verge of collapsing into the water because the coastline was being rapidly washed away.  This unnerving scene, no doubt, cuts the   picture of a place under threat from what environmentalists say is one of the fastest, and most potentially devastating coastline erosion sites in the Lagos metropolis.

Unfortunately, that is Lekki Beach at present, where worried petty traders who make their living from the beach now backtrack as the ocean advances, eating up what should have been a natural buffer zone.

Also worried are owners of some of the choicest real estate in the country, whose property would be at the mercy of the merciless ocean should it be allowed to run free.

It was learnt that the problem was caused an abandoned shipwreck, which has been impeding the natural flow of the waves for the past four months.

Investigations by The Guardian further revealed that the owners of the vessel had tried to tow the wreckage out of the wreckage away from the shoreline, but failed.
They, thus, abandoned the wreck to rust and rot away in its watery grave while constituting an obstacle that has disrupted the natural ocean flow.

An environmental activist, Desmond Majekodunmi has compared the situation to a time bomb gradually ticking away.
“Here we are standing almost adjacent to the third roundabout at Lekki, and we have already detected that the very rapid erosion is going on for several kilometres down there, including Alpha Beach, and the front of the place where the new Chevron Twin Lake Estate is springing up,” Majekodunmi observed.

The big danger, he noted, “is that as we go further down the shore, there is only a small gap between the seashore and the mangrove swamps on the other side, and with this type of erosion, as fast as it is, within a year, it could easily break into that mangrove, and if that happens, it will give the ocean a free run right into the expressway.

He continued: “That means all the work government is doing on the Lekki-Epe Expressway now would be seriously jeopardized.

“All the ocean has to do to achieve that is for this erosion to continue, and then break into the mangrove swamps.

“We know the terrain in Lekki is 70 percent mangrove, and already, there has been a lot of irresponsible sand filling, and that is why you are having some serious flood in Lekki.

“But if the ocean breaks into this mangrove swamp, the effect would be catastrophic.
“It would be absolutely horrible. It would have severe negative impact on the buildings and on the road as well.
“This erosion is occurring in front of a newly developing urban zone where the land is prime property. Some of the most expensive real estate in the whole of Nigeria is being threatened because of this one shipwreck that should have been removed four months ago.”

The activist expressed disappointment that government was yet to act in response to the problem. “There is always this issue of who is responsible, whether it is the federal or the state, and this has really hampered progress in Lagos for years,” he said

Warning of the consequences of inaction or delayed intervention, the environmental expert said: “It is not as if they won’t be able to address it when it happens, but if they wait that long for it to happen, it could cost billions of naira to address it.

“But if we address it before it is late, it is going to be a lot cheaper and it is going to have a lot less negative impact.”

Describing the situation as an  “emergency, which required immediate action”, Majekodunmi called on government to intervene, no matter what it takes.
If nothing is done, Majekodunmi predicted that the erosion would “reach the mangrove buffer zone, opening up the whole of Lekki Peninsula to a very devastating blow
from the ocean.”

But so far it may appear the government has been unfazed by the terrifying consequences that would be precipitated if the ocean runs riot.

When The Guardian visited the area recently, no government agency, state or federal, has been to the site to assess the situation in order to take appropriate actions to stem what has been described a looming disaster.

Yet, as observed, the Lekki-Epe Expressway, which has gulped billions in government and private sector funds, via concessioning, is just some ten minutes walk from the spot where the ocean is gradually taking over.

When The Guardian called the Lagos State Ministry of Environment, an official directed the inquiry to the Ministry of Waterfront and Tourism Development.   

As for ship owners who usually abandon their vessels whenever they are shipwrecked, Majekodunmi called on government to invoke relevant regulations to bring them to book. He noted that owners of such ships should have insured them, so that “if the owners feel they don’t have the cash to solve the problem, they should tap into the insurance.

“ Unfortunately, the owners of such ships have been taking advantage of this so-called Nigerian factor, and are not allowing themselves to be taken to task and brought to book on those regulations.”

Source:http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16173:the-sea-eats-our-beach&catid=3:metro&Itemid=558

It seems serious work is about to begin at the third roundabout.

Noticed this morning that diversions were created overnight for Epe bound traffic at the round about.

Looks like the roundabout is going to be re-configured like the first round about was. I hope it won't take as long though!

Asphalting of the strecth in front of Ikate Elegushi has also begun for the V/I bound extra lane.

I anticipate that the underground waste water channel at the second round about will also be completed by next week. I hope I am right about that.

Meanwhile work on the median from the second round about towards the third round about is also going on.
Noticed that work was going on there around 6.45 a.m. this morning. At that rate, it should be completed soon.
it

johnie:

It seems serious work is about to begin at the third roundabout.

Noticed this morning that diversions were created overnight for Epe bound traffic at the round about.

Looks like the roundabout is going to be re-configured like the first round about was. I hope it won't take as long though!

Saw it this morning as well.

Really hope it wont be a loong tin

^^^^
Thanks for seconding that!

Would like updates from you too.

BTW, how come you are in Lekki and Ibadan simultaneously?

The Lekki Concession Company (LCC) has debunked allegations that it would begin the collection of toll on the Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos, in August as reported in some newspapers.

LCC’s Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Opuiyo Oforokuma, made the declaration when the eight-man ad-hoc committee mandated by the Lagos State House of Assembly to investigate the project visited the company yesterday.

His words: “We never for once disclosed that the LCC would commence collecting toll on the Lekki-Epe toll-plaza on August 1. What we said was that we believe that by August, the project should be completed.”

He explained that a certificate of completion would be issued by the independent engineer appointed for the project before the company would commence tolling, adding that, after the issuance of certificate of completion, the company would also give a 14-day notice before tolling.

He said that the toll gates would be built in three phases and that the first one located at Maroko would be completed and certified by independent engineers before the company would embark on the second toll at Boroku.

The LCC boss said that the company had provided alternative routes for motorists who cannot afford the toll in line with global practice, noting that the company had also offered the state government N2 billion to accelerate work on the alternative routes.

By Wale Akinola


Source :
http://www.compassnewspaper.com/NG/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64010:lekki-epe-road-lcc-denies-declaring-august-as-commencement-of-tolling&catid=43:news&Itemid=799

Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure and Tourism Development

na wa o new office every year

So whats the traffic like around silverbird

Thanks P_NL!

phuck_NL:

His words: “We never for once disclosed that the LCC would commence collecting toll on the Lekki-Epe toll-plaza on August 1. What we said was that we believe that by August, the project should be completed.”

Wonderful! Where did that story come from? Who's lying? The journalists who carried it?

phuck_NL:

The LCC boss said that the company had provided alternative routes for motorists who cannot afford the toll in line with global practice, noting that the company had also offered the state government N2 billion to accelerate work on the alternative routes.

Yes, I can confirm that alternative routes exist up to Amazon Energy junction. But LCC, where are the alternative routes after that point?

phuck_NL:


He said that the toll gates would be built in three phases and that the first one located at Maroko would be completed and certified by independent engineers before the company would embark on the second toll at Boroku.

Embark? The second toll plaza is already under construction!

phuck_NL:


LCC’s Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Opuiyo Oforokuma, made the declaration when the eight-man ad-hoc committee mandated by the Lagos State House of Assembly to investigate the project visited the company yesterday.

At last! At long last!

Dis Guy:

na wa o new office every year

So whats the traffic like around silverbird

My sentiments too. I was not sure if the office is that of the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Developement or Waterfront Infrastrcuture and Toursim Development.

If you are refering to Silverbird Television, then you mean third round about.

See my posts yesterday and earlier today for the latest update on the third round about.

^^
Well, I don't know about August sha, but the guys are moving fast.
The ridiculous speed bumps just before Four Points have also been dismantled. Was pleased to see the road is already been widened all the way to 3rd Roundabout. I hope there will be an exit before the 3rd roundabout sha, as I am joining you guys this weekend.

LCC: Project must be certified before toll charges begin
Monday, 26 July 2010 00:00 Editor

TOLLING would commence at the Admiralty Circle Toll Plaza only upon the certification of the toll road as ‘fit for purpose’ by an independent engineer. The independent engineer is already certifying work that has been done so far.

The benefits that will be availed road users include improved journey times, such that road users are able to save valuable time, commuting from one place to the other. Also, with the revamped expressway scheduled to undergo round-the-clock maintenance, the usual problems such as dangerous potholes and uneven road surfaces which road users regularly encounter and which often pose grave dangers would be eliminated.

In addition, with the road fully lit at night, the risk both of road accidents on one hand and robbery, on the other would be considerably minimised. Other added conveniences of the new toll road include support and assistance for road users who suffer vehicular breakdown on the road as well as support and rescue assistance for victims of road accidents.

Our contract stipulates that key milestones be achieved before tolling can commence at the toll plazas. Among the deliverables in the first phase of construction is completion of the first six kilometres of the carriageway, reconstruction of the afirst roundabout, construction of a new second roundabout, expansion of the Exxon Mobil Bridge from four to six lanes, and completion of the Admiralty Circle Plaza.” All of these have been completed and are currently in use even before the commencement of tolling.

The commencement of tolling on the Lekki Toll Road is subject to the inspection and certification of completed sections of the road as fit for purpose, by an internationally certified independent engineer. The engineer has already inspected the road and will submit his report within the next ten days. We have received information that portends positive outcomes, hence the possible commencement of tolling at the end of July or in August 2010. The toll rates will be announced at least
two weeks before tolling commences.

The Lekki Toll Road will continuously aim at closing gaps in infrastructure, delivering convenience, shorter journey times and enhanced safety, thereby contributing to the wellbeing of residents as well as visitors of Lekki Peninsula. “Our route patrol services, for instance, operational since October 2009, provide complimentary assistance to road users. So far, we have been able to assist more than 1,600 road users on incidents ranging from vehicle break down, to providing rescue services to accident victims.”

LCC’s route patrol service network is linked to the public services including the emergency services of the Lagos State Government and the Nigerian Police. All of these have greatly enhanced the safety of road users along the carriageway.

Road users who do not wish to pay toll will be able to bypass the Toll Plaza using alternative routes that have already been provided. Regardless of this, they will still be able to return onto the new Lekki-Epe Expressway, use it and enjoy other services provided by LCC, until they get to the next Toll Plaza and decide whether to pay toll or take the next alternative route.

The road users will have the option of paying their tolls via electronic means or by cash. The electronic mode of payment involves the use of smart cards called “SwiftPass” and an electronic device known as eTag.

“We are encouraging people to make toll payments via electronic means because of the discounts available on this platform and the added convenience it offers. Bigger discounts will also be given to commercial bus operators to avoid increase in transport fares. It is expected that the payment platforms will be expanded to include mobile phones in the near future.

“Challenges confronting LCC in implementing the road project are right of way constraints, uncontrolled development along the axis and the construction of a major road in a tight urban corridor, as being key issues that the company has had to deal with. However, we commend the Lagos State Government for the efforts it has made so far towards ensuring that the right of way constraints were eliminated.”


Source: http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17902:lcc-project-must-be-certified-before-toll-charges-begin&catid=25:property&Itemid=655

Controversy stalks Lekki-Epe highway toll plan .
Monday, 26 July 2010 00:00 Editor

SIX days ahead of the scheduled August 2010 commencement period of the Lagos State government’s planned tolling scheme for the Lekki-Epe Expressway, clouds of uncertainty have continued to hover above the scheme, as government and unrepentant stakeholders stick to their guns over divergent positions on the project. While the state authorities, speaking in the same vein with the concessionaire for the scheme – The Lekki Concession Company (LCC) – insist the scheme is the answer to the perennial infrastructure problems plaguing the highway, residents in communities located along its route have remained staunchly opposed to the tolling implications for all users of the road.

LCC officials, however, assured members of the State House of Assembly who waded into the dispute that the rumoured August 1st take–off date was not true, but that the firm expected the scheme to be up and running sometime during the month.

The Lekki Toll Road project is a public private partnership initiative being executed by the Lekki Concession Company under a 30-year, build, operate and transfer (BOT) concession model. The approximately, 50-kilometre road will be expanded and fully refurbished and thereafter managed by the company throughout this 30 year period. Another 20 kilometres of Coastal Road is also to be built under the second phase of the project. The initiative is privately financed through offshore and local financial institutions.


Source: http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17900:controversy-stalks-lekki-epe-highway-toll-plan&catid=25:property&Itemid=655

Work is going on at a frenetic pace between second round about and third round about.

Approaching the third round about from Chevron (fourth round about):

At the round about.

I am concerned about the powerlines. See mast in pix 3 & 4

Approaching third round about (which I consider the busiest point on the road) from second round about:

Pic 1: Notice the commercial bus driving along the cleared path on the right. I am not sure if the path was deliberately created for the buses but it actually helped to keep them from congesting the roundabout as their bus stop is just further down. With this, they don't have to be on the road with other vehicles that are not stopping at the round about.

Pic 2: Observe the location of the bus stop


Heading towards the fourth round about:

Pic 3: The arches on the right are the entry and exit points to/from Lekki (Maiyegun) Beach. Observe that the commercial motorcyclist use this point as their loading point. Also observe the closeness of the power-line mast to the road.

Pic 4: Just after the powerline heading towards the fourth (Chevron) round about.

Still going round heading towards Chevron

What's with the can on the road (pic 2-4) and the cars parked along the bend?  These are some of the things that cause the go-slow!

Pic 1:
Turn for those heading back to second round about.

The two filling stations (SPG and Mobil) and eateries (Chicken Republic and Mr. Bigg's) are just around the bend along the road.


Pic 2:
Heading towards Chevron just after the round about
The heavy machinery are digging the foundation for a pedestrian bridge to be constructed over the road.

Heading toward the third round about from chevron about three hours later

Pic 2: With the pedestrian bridge, the guy running across the road to the left near the directional sign won't have to.

Third Round about (24 hours later!)

I'm guessing the round about will be widened and moved further to the left away from the power line.

Third round about

third round about

AjanleKoko:

^^
Well, I don't know about August sha, but the guys are moving fast.
The ridiculous speed bumps just before Four Points have also been dismantled. Was pleased to see the road is already been widened all the way to 3rd Roundabout. I hope there will be an exit before the 3rd roundabout sha, as I am joining you guys this weekend.

You are welcome to the Lekki axis! I hope you would share your experiences on this thread after you move.

WRT the exit before 3rd round about, I very much doubt it.

If the road is properly done and managed to prevent traffic jams, turning at the third round about should be a breeze for you.

Until when the stretch between 2nd and 3rd round about is completed (which might take about two weeks in my estimation), you would have to turn at 3rd round about.

All said, I think you chose a good time to move- the tail end of the construction work.

Welcome!

Johnie do you have a link to the master-plan for this area or the roads being built or a picture showing what the whole thing will look like afterwards??

Work on the median.

Heading towards the second round about from the third.

The second round about.

Pic 1: The underground water channel (before being covered about two weeks ago)- sorry pix not very clear!
Pic 2-3: After being buried.
pic 4: Approaching the buried channel from 3rd round about

Pic 1-3:
Approaching second round about from the first round about.

Some work has begun on this round about as well. The part of the round about cordoned off by the diversion signs have now been scrapped and leveled.

Pic 4:
Immediately after the second round about, heading towards the third.

Approaching where work on the median stopped (at Still Waters Estate) from the third round about:

Observe the water tanker watering the additional lane on the left of pix 1-3.

Still Waters Estate is in the background of pic 4

Pic 1-2: Work on additional lane at Still Waters Estate

Pic 3-4:Where work on the median stopped. The traffic jam (a temporary one) was caused by one of the construction vehicles turning. Observe the commercial motorcyclist stuck in the treacherous median sand. Many a driver has learnt bitter lessons about turning between the round-abouts by the sand. God help you if LASTMA officials catch you stuck in the sand!

Dis Guy:

Johnie do you have a link to the master-plan for this area or the roads being built or a picture showing what the whole thing will look like afterwards??

Dis_guy, what I have are:

1. a high-level master-plan for road development in Lagos.
2. a high level master plan for the Lekki Peninsula without a legend

Pic 1 shows, for the Lekki Peninsula, the proposed coastal road linking point 3 to 5.

Pic 2 is more detailed. I have indicated the coastal road which is supposed to be the alternative to the expressway. I have also indicated the first and third round-abouts as well as the proposed fourth mainland bridge.


The red line marked 1 in pic 1, I believe is the Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge which is currently under construction (Pic 3 & 4)

Anyone with more detailed information, please help!

Good news for you Ajanlekoko.

There are openings at Still Waters Estate and Germaine along the median. However, I think these openings are only temporary and would be blocked once the third round about is completed.

LASTMA men were on ground at around 9.p.m. when I passed through the third round about yet the traffic was crawling.

Meanwhile work on the median has also begun from the third round about towards the second round about.

The foundation for the median stand of the pedestrian bridge at the third round about is also being done now.

If the work had been carried out with this level of zeal earlier, the job would have been completed long ago!

My only concern now is with the standard of the work.

I hope the standard is not being compromised because of the desire to start tolling quickly.