I just listened to the Lagos state commissioner for transportion giving his 2010 ministerial briefing.

He mentioned that work is ongoing on the development of rail transport along the Badagry axis.

Can anyone give us updates?

JB has already moved to the site and work on that road is already going on at a serious rate. By the time that road is finished, Lagos will become the envy of other states.

Thanks Ireneann.

I am happy Julius Berger (JB) is handling the job. They have a reputation of doing their jobs effectively and efficiently.

Where exactly are they working now and what are they doing?

How is the pace of work?

What I heard previously was that LASG had compensated owners of houses along the Eric Moore axis and demolished the affected houses.

Are they still at the demolishing/clearing stage?

Any other updates?

JB is workin on the orile to mile 2 axis.

last i heard sha,FG/LASG are having some jurisdiction issues on the project as a whole.maybe that'll explain the relatively slow pace of work on the mile 2 to badagry leg.JB is working on d bridge at maza maza(piling or somtin like that) but no demolition has taken place yet along that route though some homeowners have vacated their ppties.one never knows with this govt of ours but we hope common sense will prevail.

i am seriously praying for that road to be worked on as life will definitly be a lot easier for us living there.

With the 2011 polls fast approaching, I have my fears.

The politicians are wont to play games with serious issues as this like they did during the Tinubu/Obasanjo era.

A lot of retardation in infrastructural development and damage to the people's psyche was experienced then.

Updates and pictures welcome.

Any updates?

Thanks chaircover.

My concern about the project being stopped stems from the fact that the road is a Federal Goverment (FG) road while the project is a LASG project.

It would be very unfortunate is the tram/train project fails. A functional rail system is a must for a city as large as Lagos.

As a matter of fact, I am shocked that much consideration has not been given to introcudeng rail to Ikorodu Road and the ongoing work at the Lekki axis.

But then, I don't have the demographics. Maybe the Badagry axis is more densly populated than the others.


Please keep the updates coming.

There is a news report about the LASG awarding the contract for the light rail system along the Badagry axis to a Chinese firm in today's edition of the Punch newspaper.

Please post the report and link here if you can.

Lagos awards light rail project contract to Chinese firm
By Hamed Shobiye, Published: Tuesday, 13 Apr 2010



Determined to provide an efficient transportation system for Lagos residents, the state government has awarded a contract for the first phase of the Blue Line Light Rail Project to a Chinese construction firm, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation.



The government has already paid N8.05 billion, representing 70 per cent of the contract sum to the Chinese company, to design and build the 27 kilometre project expected to run from Okokomaiko to Marina.



Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), disclosed this on Tuesday while delivering a key note address at an annual lecture put together by Punuka Attorneys and Solicitors.

The theme of this year’s lecture was: The prospect of infrastructural development in Nigeria-Using the Lagos Light Rail as a case Study.”

Fashola, who was represented by the Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority, Mr. Dayo Mabereola, revealed that the challenge of providing efficient transportation for the over 18 million residents of the state was one of the cardinal objectives of his administration when it came to power in May 2007.

He said, “Early in the life of our administration, we realised the need to explore the prospect of developing other modes of transportation other than road to enable us provide a means of moving large number of commuters within the state.

Source: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art2010041318224814

FG resolves face-off with Lagos over Badagry road project

The Federal Government on Wednesday announced it had resolved its differences with the Lagos State government over the celebrated Lagos-Badagry road project, which hit stormy waters shortly before Acting President Goodluck Jonathan’s dissolution of the last Federal Executive Council.
Sanusi Daggash, minister of works, who made the disclosure while inspecting the multi-billion-naira truck park constructed by Capital Oil and Gas in Lagos, said the dispute between Lagos and the Federal Government stemmed from the right of way issue, which had been resolved to ease congestion along the route, so that there would be no problems among road users.

While assuring that government was ready to partner Lagos in the area of road infrastructure, Daggash noted that the truck park constructed by Capital Oil and Gas was a model that the Federal Government would emulate, and advised other corporate bodies to toe the same line.

He declared that with the construction of the park, which could contain 1,100 trucks, there was bound to be a drastic reduction in traffic snarls on Lagos roads. “We must encourage individuals to do same in other parts of the country. The facility is not just for trucks but is also critical for the service it is rendering. If the trucks are off the road, money would be added to the economy and the health of Nigerians improved,” he said, adding that the approach of the facilities’ users was worrisome while urging members of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) workers to try and decongest the Apapa –Oshodi road

Speaking during the visit, Ifeanyi Uba, managing director, Capital Oil and Gas, remarked that parks such as the new one would service not just the oil and gas industry but also ease the logistical problems that flour mill operators and cement companies encounter on a regular basis.

NUPENG members, on their part, said it was high time government helped build parks across the country so that truck drivers would stop parking by the roadside, thereby reducing the incidence of road accidents.


Source: http://www.businessdayonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10568:fg-resolves-face-off-with-lagos-over-badagry-road-project-&catid=85:national&Itemid=340

Lagos-Badagry road to be completed within projected period
Friday, 30 April 2010 01:15 Joshua Bassey

Lagos State government said on Thursday that the ongoing expansion of the Lagos-Badagry road would be completed within the projected four years period.
Special adviser to the state governor on works and infrastructure, Ganiyu Johnson, who gave the assurance while briefing the media on the activities of the ministry since May 2007 when the current administration came into office, put the level of work so far carried out by the contractor handling the project, Julius Berger plc, at eight percent.

Work on the first phase (stretching from Eric Moore to Mile 2) of the multi-billion naira 66 kilometres road began in 2009. Contracts for the second phase (Mile 2 to Agbara) and final phase (Agbara to Badagry) are yet to be awarded.

The state is undertaking the expansion of this strategic international road to ten lanes (five lanes either side) to further enhance the mega-city status of Lagos, boost economic activities on the corridor, improve quality of life and support inter-modal public transportation system being pursued by the government. To be incorporated into the project are light rail and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line.

Meanwhile, the state government has claimed it has completed and handed over a total of 83 road projects measuring 101,565 kilometres in the last three years while 123 others measuring 214,262 kilometres were ongoing in different parts of the state.

Statistics released by the ministry showed that the road projects were scattered across the 20 local government areas of the state. A break down showed that three were completed in Agege, one in Ajeromi-Ifelodun, three in Alimosho, one in Amuwo-Odofin, three in Apapa, three in Badagry, one in Ibeju-Lekki, one in Ifako, nine in Ikeja, one in Ikorodu, four in Kosofe, two in Lagos Mainland, three in Ojo, among others.

It also listed other projects embarked on some of which have been completed and delivered to include installation of streetlights, construction of new maternal and children hospitals, jetties, markets, bridges, reclamation of the Marina shoreline with several others currently at different stages of completion.

Source: http://www.businessdayonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10604:lagos-badagry-road-to-be-completed-within-projected-period-&catid=85:national&Itemid=340

THE LASU-IBA NEW TOWN

Located in the South Western Part of Lagos, Iba Town is about to see another town rise within it. Sited along the LASU- Iba road and bordered on the South by Ojo Military Cantonment, East by Ijedodo, North by the Ijagemo and in the West by Iba Town, Iba New Town Development Scheme as it will be known is a joint development by the Lagos State Ministry of Housing and the New Towns Development Authority (NTDA) in conjunction with the private sector.

Planned to kick-off this year and proposed to be financed by State and Private funds, official information from the Lagos State Government shows that the Memorandum of Understanding for the development of the new scheme will soon be signed by the Lagos State Government and selected developers while the C. Of. O will be issued in the name of Ministry of Housing. Already, a feasibility study for the scheme to show the investment viability of the scheme has been done and the layout and financial plan for 85Hectares out of the first parcel of land has also been done. The contract for sand filling of the first phase of the scheme has also awarded.


Source: http://www.castlesweekly.com/ShowArticle.aspx?ID=898

Thnaks for the updates, Johnie.

Fashola Commissions 11 Projects In Badagry, Ojo

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Thursday commissioned a total of 11 projects in Badagry and Ojo Local Government areas with a call on the communities to keep the peace in order to enhance development.

In Badagry Local Government, the Governor handed over three major roads –Joseph Dosu Street, Old Cemetery Road and Market Street – and a Drivers’ Institute in Badagry town, , a Micro Water Scheme in Apa, a Water Jetty in Igbo-Igele, a community hall in Ajara Agelaso while in Ojo Local Government Area, the Governor Fashola also handed over a network of three roads – Shibiri Etegbin Road, Imude Road and Ajangbadi-Ilogbo Road and a Mini Water Works in Ajangbadi town.

Speaking in Apa Community where he commissioned a Micro Water Scheme, Governor Fashola, who reminded the people that it was in fulfillment of his campaign promise to them, pointed out that the water scheme was one of the priority projects demanded by the people during the need assessment tour of the area.

Governor Fashola said in embarking on such projects, the State Government is conscious of the need to bring development to the rural communities in order to stem the tide of rural urban migration which, according to him, has created problems both locally and internationally.

According to him, “Rural urban migration has created slums in many cities not only in Nigeria but other countries of the world”. It has added to the congestion problem in the urban areas and we know that it is not all of you that want to leave the rural areas if you have what you want here”.

“If you have Education, if you have Healthcare, if you have water supply, if you have electricity, many of you want to live very simple lives with your families, with your children and this is what we have set out to do, to provide what you want, to provide Education, to provide primary healthcare centres, to provide integrated facilities that will help those who want to do business, the farmers, the food processors, the fishermen”, the Governor said.

Handing over the project, Governor Fashola declared, “Make no mistake about it; this is not our solution to water supply in this area. This is a short term measure, to alleviate poverty, to stem water borne diseases, to give these little children the same chance that I had to live long to be somebody great”.
[b]
Highlighting the Tourism potentials of Badagry while handing over other projects in other areas, the Governor said, “The prospects that this part of our State- Badagry- holds for the future of our State, for the future of our country, are enormous. I have said often times that not only do Badagry hold many opportunities; it holds the key for releasing the Tourism economy of Lagos”. Adding, Tourism is about destination because if you can’t get there then there is no Tourism”.

“The tourism potentials of Badagry like the Zangbeto masquerades, the various historical points and places like the slaves relics can compete favourably with what is obtainable elsewhere”, he said, adding that it is the same set of tourist attractions that people pay hard currency to travel overseas to watch as tourist sites.

The Governor reiterated that this is one of the reasons that informed the decision of the State Government to embark on the expansion of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway so as to make it easy to come in easily and go out without pains.[/b]

He expressed the commitment of the present administration to reach and meet the need of Lagosians and urged them to exercise patience, stressing that all parts of the State would feel the impact of the administration in one way or the other.

Calling on the people of Badagry to embrace peace at all times, Governor Fashola declared, “It is only in a peaceful atmosphere that development can thrive. There are several mechanism that could be made use of to resolve conflicts and you can embrace these mechanisms to ensure peace among you.”

At the Ajangbadi Water Works, Governor Fashola said the Water Works represents the sixth Waterworks to be commissioned by the State since the beginning of the year, adding a total stock of 12million gallons till date.

He revealed that a total of 15 Water Works are being planned for the State as one half of the measures to improve water supply in the State.

“The other half is the improvement which has come into place at the Iju and Adiyan Water Works which is now producing almost 100 million gallons a day compared to the 35million it was producing before due to the provision of an Independent Power Project.”

Governor Fashola reiterated that during the electioneering campaigns the people only asked for the upgrading of the Joseph Dosu and Market roads but that the State Government found it necessary to include Cemetery Road because of its belief that the road holds a key to the prosperity of the area because of its strategic importance to commerce and industry.

“Our State is growing in leaps and bounds. We are always thinking ahead. For all those who seek to come and live in our State, they are always welcome” Governor Fashola said.

Speaking earlier at the handing over of the Joseph Dosu Road, Cemetery Road and Market Street, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engineer Ganiyu Johnson said in line with the standards set by Governor Fashola, the three roads have been rehabilitated and upgraded with walkways, street lights, drainage facilities and service ducts.

He added that the ancient town of Badagry is beginning to receive a facelift as quite a number of other works are still going on around the town while a few more are still in the pipeline and would commence very soon.

Also speaking at the handing over of Shibiri-Etegbin, Imude and Ajangbadi-Ilogbo roads in Ojo Local Government, the Special Adviser implored residents, road users, the corporate community and the CDAs to assume ownership of the roads and ensure that all forms of abuse, including cutting across or along the road are prevented as provisions have been made for service ducts to accommodate underground services.

The Governor who carried on with the commissions and handover of projects, which witnessed huge turn out of appreciative residents, in spite of rain showers at some of the venues was accompanied on the trips by members of the State Executive Council, members of the National Assembly representing Lagos, some members of the State House of Assembly, elected Local Government Councils and Local Council Development Areas Chairmen, leaders of the Action Congress and very enthusiastic members of the different host communities who trooped out in their thousands to witness the events.

Source:http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2010/05/21/fashola-commissions-11-projects-in-badagry-ojo/

johnie:

Speaking earlier at the handing over of the Joseph Dosu Road, Cemetery Road and Market Street, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engineer Ganiyu Johnson said in line with the standards set by Governor Fashola, the three roads have been rehabilitated and upgraded with walkways, street lights, drainage facilities and service ducts.

Source:http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2010/05/21/fashola-commissions-11-projects-in-badagry-ojo/

I can testify to that (great minds think alike ):

johnie:

This road currently under construction leads to the Kings Court Residential Scheme. There are some private estates along the road including CMB's Pearl Nuga Estate, HFP's (creators of VGC) Fountain Springville Estate and Legacy's Heritage Place. There is also a private school along the road.

I think other road construction efforts should at least meet this basic standard: good drainage, street lights and pedestrian walkways.

See a similar road construction going on at Lekki axis at:

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-367311.192.html#msg6050700

FHA to build new town on Lagos-Badagry expressway

Written by Nan
Monday, 01 March 2010 22:18
The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) will soon submit a proposal to the Lagos State Government for the construction of a new town development scheme on the Lagos/Badagry Expressway, an official said.

The South-West Coordinator of FHA, Mr Fola Owolabi, said on Sunday in Lagos that the agency’s board had approved the construction of a housing estate in the area.

He said the ongoing expansion work on the road and the plan by the state government to extend a light rail to Badagry would open up the area.

“We will soon be forwarding our proposal for a new town development scheme along the road. We are counting on the goodwill of the government to approve it,” he said.

Owolabi said the concept of a new town development scheme had been adopted by FHA as one of the delivery methods for the realisation of its 100, 000 units by 2013.

He said apart from the existing housing schemes in Lagos, including the 11,000 housing units in FESTAC town, FHA had also completed 562 housing units at Diamond Estate, Isheri, Lagos.

The coordinator disclosed that the agency was constructing another housing estate at Egan, a Lagos suburb, in partnership with a private firm.

“Also at Abesan, we have just opened another site where contractors have been mobilised for the delivery of an estate being handled through direct labour,’’ said Owolabi.

He added that the FHA would deliver more than 8, 000 housing units through cooperative societies under its 2009-2013 Action Plan. (NAN)

Source: http://news.dailytrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14927:fha-to-build-new-town-on-lagos-badagry-expressway&catid=36:property&Itemid=30

Nigeria: Police, Army Clash Averted over Illegal Road Blocks at Seme/Badagry Road

Albert Akpor
7 May 2010

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHAT would have resulted in a bloody clash between some policemen attached to the Lagos state police command and some army personnel was Tuesday night averted following alleged mounting of illegal check points along the Seme\Badagry road by some uniformed personnel in Badagry and OPS MESAH.

Impeccable sources disclosed that some police men attached to a new squad tagged, Anti-illegal Road Block (AIRB) along the route and some soldiers had a heated argument over police insistence that various illegal road blocks mounted by these army personnel should be dislodged in accordance with the recent federal government's order that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Ogbonna Onovo, should ensure that traffic flows freely along the route.

This order, it was learnt, followed complaints by some chiefs of police from the neighbouring countries who visited Nigeria last year over several checkpoints that dotted the highway to the border. According to sources, the altercation between the police and the soldiers would have resulted in a bloody clash that night but for the quick intervention of the Commander of the squad, Mr. Emmanuel Ighodalo, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP).

The army personnel, reports say, have continued to mount illegal road blocks along the route brazenly, collecting tolls from both private and commercial motorists. Some of them were said to be escorting contraband like textile, rice, assorted canned foods and frozen chickens both day and night across the legal checkpoints.

Attempts to speak with the Commander of the Anti-Illegal Road Block (AIRB) failed but a source close to his office said that some of the army personnel have taken solace in mounting illegal road blocks since all other check points except those approved by the Nigerian Customs have been dislodged by the AIRB squad.

The source further disclosed that since the birth of the Police task froce, there have been free- flow of traffic along the route until the uniformed personnel surfaced with their road blocks. According to sources, "these soldiers operate six of these checkpoints at Aradagun junction, Church gate junction, Chef garden junction after Gbagi, MTN point, Mawo and Oke-Afo junctions respectively.

The operation of these illegal checkpoint starts from 6.00 am to 6.00 am the following day with the army men either collecting money brazenly from motorists or escorting contraband goods. Yesterday (last Tuesday), some policemen almost clashed with them at the points of these illegal road blocks because the police challenged them. But for the illegal activities of these soldiers, travellers from Nigeria-Seme coming to Lagos would not spend much time getting to their destinations. These uniformed personnel behave as if nobody can control them.".

Some motorists who spoke with Crime Guard painted very ugly and dehumanising pictures of their plight in the hands of the soldiers along the road. According to one of them who identified himself simply as Fatai, an auto dealer, "It is better for the Police, Custom and other quasi- organisations to take over the road like we had than what we are presently going through in the hands of these armed soldiers.

Do you know that they do not stop at creating unnecessary traffic bottle-necks only, they extort money from us and in addition, flog us as if we are slaves. No motorist passes there now without receiving a cane from them and we have christened it our "Seme Blessing from soldiers". That is our sing-song now.

We are sure that they come from either the army barracks nearby or they are members of the anti-crime outfit, Operation Mesa. We are therefore calling on both the Inspector-General of Police, Ogbonna Onovo and President Goodluck Jonathan to act immediately by calling these soldiers to order. If not, the whole idea of setting up a task force against illegal; road blocks would be grossly defeated".

It would be recalled that the Inspector-General of Police, Ogbonna Onovo gave n express order early this year that illegal checkpoints along the Seme-Badagry road should be dislodged following bitter complaints by his visiting counterparts from the neighbouring countries last year.

Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201005070955.html

Oga Lawyer, please transfer this thread to the politics section.

Many thanks!

Lagos/Badagry road: Lagos pays N1.7bn compensation

Written by Kunle Awosiyan, Lagos
Thursday, 08 July 2010

Lagos State government has paid over N1.7 billion as compensation to owners of demolished landed properties on Lagos/Badagry Road .

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos Lands Bureau, Mr. Gbanga Ashafa, said this during the presentation of cheques to beneficiaries on Wednesday.

He said that the government had already approved the sum of N2 billion as compensation for the affected people out of which over N1.7 billion had since been paid in the last 10 months.

It will be recalled that the government awarded the expansion of the road to 10 lanes with the promise to compensate owners whose properties fell within the right of way more than a year ago.

As a mark of commitment to its promise, Ashafa said that the government had paid over N1.5 billion to 30 property owners between August and December, 2009, while another 12 received the sum of N266 million on Wednesday.

He reiterated the commitment of the government to regularly pay compensation to the affected people whose properties fell on the construction line of the Lagos/Badagry 10-lane expressway.

“The government will continue to provide enough fund as part of our budgetary and project plans to ensure that property owners who are affected by this landmark infrastructural development are adequately compensated in line with the provisions of the law,” he said.

Meanwhile, the construction company handling the project, Messrs Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, had commenced work on the first phase of the road, spanning 7.3 kilometres.
Source: http://www.tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/7962-lagosbadagry-road-lagos-pays-n17bn-compensation

Oga Lawyer, please transfer this thread to the politics section.

Thank you.

^^^^
You are probably right:

Double trouble for Lagos landlords
By TESSY IGOMU
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Fashola



TESSY IGOMU mirrors the pains and fears of property owners who may not qualify for compensation after having lost their homes to the new Lagos-Badagry Expressway project On Monday last week, the Lagos State government commenced the first phase of compensation to some residents whose properties were demolished along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

But not all those whose houses were demolished will have the opportunity of smiling to the banks. Those who lack what the state government tag genuine documents will be left to groan and grieve.

According to the director of Lands Services in the state, Mrs Nike Animashaun, only 48 of the 112 property owners have submitted genuine documents.

The emphasis on genuine documents has pitted most property owners affected by the expansion project against the state government. Many of them claimed to have bought their lands from traditional land owners, the omo onile, and are yet to complete the process of full acquisition. To such people, the call to submit genuine documents is a mere ploy to dispossess them of their properties. In the minds of such people, anger, apprehension and gloom are the dominant emotions.
Close to Orile Bus stop, Ali Olamigunno stands with hands akimbo as he inspects the ruins of his father’s house. Looking dishevelled and obviously troubled about the issue of compensation, he launches into history, narrating how his late father, an Awori, came to settle in the area.

“This house has been here since 1962. I inherited it from my father, the late Shittu Olamigunnro who died in 1982. The only things I have to show for this building are survey papers, receipts and tenement rates. A lot of our people have been displaced. They now sleep in the open.”
Most property owners whose buildings have been demolished are complaining that efforts earlier made to obtain proper C of Os were frustrated by government officials.

Femi Ajayi’s house was demolished around Orile. He tells Daily Sun: “Now that they are saying we won’t be compensated, how do they expect us to live? We had hoped that we would settle some of our tenants from the money so that they can look for another place. Now we are confused.”

Mr. Tajudeen Balogun sits in a pensive mood by Mazamaza bus stop. Now in his late 50s, he says he has submitted documents of his demolished home even as he awaits words from the authorities.
“I am not happy,” he says. “We expected them to pay us before demolishing our properties. Now, what they would do is to give us just anything. They told us that they would come to value our properties. But when they came, they did not speak to us.” He laments that some people whose properties were demolished along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway have since committed suicide.

“This is pure murder,” he laments. “It is wicked to put people who have lost everything through this torture. I don’t see why the government would be cheating its citizens. I was forced to pay N700 by PHCN even though I haven’t had light for the past two months. All we want is for the project to have a human face. There is nothing we can do if they decide not to pay us. We can’t sue the government because they own the court and the lawyers. Our only prayer is that God should touch their hearts,” he prays.

Daily Sun gathered that a prominent hotelier in Mazamaza is still recovering from the shock of the demolition. The owner of Great Destiny Hotel in the same area, Mr. Kayode Isiaka, reportedly slumped and died because of the likelihood of not getting compensation.
Alhaja Ayi Balogun notes that unless something positive comes out of the compensation plan, more people will die of shock.

Mr. Sunday Oremolade at Alafia Market is uncertain about the future even as he notes that his savings are depleting since his house where he had a tailoring shop, was demolished. He is also not happy that the mammy market was left intact while other buildings were levelled.

“My last hope is the compensation,” he confides in Daily Sun. “The state government should consider those of us that have only receipts and survey plans. My place was not initially marked for demolition but it was demolished anyway. I have a family that depends on me for survival. My children are now scattered among my friends and relatives. This is not the type of life any man prays for.”



Source: http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/citysun/2009/sept/02/citysun-02-09-2009-003.htm

Oga Lawyer, please transfer this thread to the politics section.

Thank you.

Lagos-Badagry Highway - Property Owners Dismantle Houses

10 September 2009

Stan Okenwa — Apparently working on the permutation that the Lagos State government meant business in expanding the Lagos-Badagry expressway to 10 lane-light rail system, property owners on the stretch especially from Maza-Maza to Seme border have started dismantling and losing off useful parts of their houses.
Some of the owners' of property within the Right of Way (RoW) who spoke to our correspondent on grounds of anonymity said hence the state government has demonstrated genuine interest in carrying out the project, there is no need to wait for the bulldozers to come and level everything including what could be recovered early enough by them.

But in a separate interview, son of a property owner at Maza-maza who introduced himself as Udoka confided in Daily Champion that his father joined others to dismantle his house to rescue doors, zinc, aluminum frames and glasses, kitchen and sanitary wares, tiles and other materials so as to limit the magnitude of loss hence compensation may not be paid. Udoka disclosed further that he is not sure if his father has all relevant documents and approval that will ensure payment of compensation as the state government has no time for victims without genuine documents and building approval papers.
He said "the only material remaining in their house now and other affected structures is standing bricks, decking and housing parts that cannot be useful when removed from a house".

In a separate interview with some landowners popularly called Omonile around Agboju axis on the stretch, they explained that not up to 10 percent of buildings along the Badagry expressway were built with genuine documents. They explained that the state government had earlier acquired lands along the road during the late 1970s when former governor Lateef Jakande planned to redevelop the over 65 kilometres highway to a metro-system but was scuffled by intrigues of the then apex government who played politics with the project's approval and funding.

According to landowners, "when the project apparently failed, subsequent governments in the state became silent on giving building approvals but developers misinterpreted the situation and started erecting structures along the highway without recourse to getting genuine papers".

Indications show that the dismantling spree that started from Maza-maza since the resumption of massive demolition by the government from Eric Moore, the beginning of the new road to Mile-2 is gradually spreading down to Agbara as at press time.

According to available construction specifications, the highway is segmented into three lots; Lot one whose contract have been awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc., runs from Eric Moore to Mile-2; Lot two from Mile-2 to Agbara and; Lot three from Agbara to border end.

It would be recalled that the high risk of jumping into property development in Lagos State without relevant documents and approval took its toll on thousands of property owners along the Lot-1 of the highway.

Among hundreds of demolished houses from Eric Moore to Mile-2 which fall within the Right of Way (RoW), only 112 properties owners approached the government for compensation.

But upon the 112 that can up for claims, only 48 victims, according to the government officials came with "all genuine and relevant documents and approvals were confirmed for payment".

Delivering his welcome address during the payment of compensation to victims whit genuine papers few weeks ago, Director of Lands Bureau Services, Mrs. Nike Animasaun said that the value of the properties were calculated based on the current rate of properties as approved by the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) and debunked claims of arbitrarily valuation of any form.

She explained that out of the 112 properties that were affected, only 48 victims have come up with their genuine evidence of ownership, adding the public presentation of cheques is to prove the sincerity of the state government in the road redevelopment deal.

Animasaun said that the payment of compensation to people who are displaced from their properties for public use was an obligation of government as enshrined in the Land Use Act, saying that the state government was living up to that obligation by undertaking to compensate all who were affected by the demolition.

In an exclusive interview, she explained that the presentation of cheques were smooth because of the state's sincerity policy and burning determination to upgrade amenities in the state.

Presenting the cheques, Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Rotimi Oyekan thanked the beneficiaries for their understanding, saying that the expansion of the road was part of state government's efforts to open up the area for unprecedented economic opportunities.

Oyekan urged them to view the loss of their properties as a sacrifice they have to make for the future of their children and for the country in general, adding that the present administration was poised to engage the people optimally for the development of the state.

'The benefit is not just the sacrifice, but also the opportunity that the new road will open up and the extent to which that will enhance our economy. That is the burden of leadership; the sacrifice that we have to make for the future of our children, It is not a one-off thing, it is continuous. We intend to ensure that those who are
making sacrifices are adequately compensated,' the commissioner said.

He also enjoined all whose property was affected and who have not yet done so to come up to the agency with whatever means or evidence of ownership, assuring that their claims would be well reviewed and that they will be compensated by the government.

Some of the beneficiaries whose claims have been verified include Paache Steel Ltd, Chief V.O Aro, Engr. Ambrose Agboro, Alhaji Makanjuola, Doyin Group Of Companies, Vincent Whelu Martins Onyenorah, General Marble and Granite Co. Ltd, Visa International Ltd, Rotunda Hospital and Alhaji Memud Ahmad.
One of the recipients, Mr. Rasaq Apalara of Paache Steel Ltd thanked the government for the ensuring the compensation "within a short time," and expressed the belief that the road will be completed quickly and for the benefit of all Nigerians. About N2 billion have so far been paid out by the state government for compensation just as the construction firm has been mobilized to the tune of over N10 billion.

Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/200909300485.html

Oga Lawyer, please transfer this thread to the politics section.

Thank you.

Any update on this?

Property owners on Lagos/Badagry road commend government for compensations .
Tuesday, 13 July 2010 00:00 Dayo Ayeyemi

“I want to thank the Lagos State Government for this gesture. We were not happy seeing our properties destroyed at the initial stage, but we thank God for this support because when the

government promised to pay us compensation, we doubted it but now the compensation has come. We thank the state government for this.”

Those were the words of Alhaji Usman Adisa, one of the affected property owners by the on going expansion and reconstruction of the Lagos-Badagry road into 10-lane expressway when receiving his compensation in cheque from the Lagos State Government in the office of the Permanent Secretary, Lagos’ Lands Bureau at the weekend.

Another building owner, Mr. Sanni Azeez, thanked the government for the gesture, saying he was grateful that the authority came to the aid of the affected building owners at last.

The 11 property owners in the second batch of whose their buildings/structures fall within the right of way of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway in the first phase received their compensation amounting to N226, 514,680 in cheques and money transfer at the weekend in Lagos.

Presenting cheques to the beneficiaries, Permanent Secretary, Lagos’ Lands Bureau, Mr. Gbenga Ashafa, said the payment was a mark of commitment of the promise made by the state government on August 19, last year when he presented cheques to 18 organisations and individuals shortlisted for compensation under the first batch of the compensation scheme.

After that, he said the government also considered and approved the payment of compensation to the second batch of the 31 claimants within the Lot 1 of the project. Out of these 31 claimants, 12 of them, he stated were fully settled while the second set comprising 11 property owners were now being presented their cheques as full and final payment of their compensation.

Ashafa assured that the state government was committed to due process and therefore, was determined to pay those whose properties were affected in the bid for the people of Lagos State to take the benefit which the construction of the 10 lanes Lagos/Badagry Expressway would provide upon completion.

According to him, the government would continue to provide enough funds as part of the budgetary and project plans to ensure that property owners who were affected by the landmark infrastructural development for common benefits of both present and future generations are adequately compensated in line with the provisions of the law.

The permanent secretary pointed out that payment of compensations within Lot 1 was done in batches as claimants came forward with their title documents and building approvals.

His words: “It is pertinent to state here that the sum of 1,583,229,640.00 had since been approved as payment of compensation to claimants within the first and second batch on the Lot 1.”

The Lagos State government had last year announced plans to re-construct the four lanes Lagos/Badagry road into 10-lane Expressway to further open up the area for border traders in the West Africa sub-region and to lessen the transportation burden of residents along the axis.

Justifying the initiative, Ashafa stated that Lagosians who would have opted to live along the Lagos/Badagry road dreaded the area due to the persistent traffic gridlock occasioned by poor state of the road, insecurity and collapsed infrastructure.

“The large expanse of the land that could have been available to investors do not hold much attraction for such would be investors until now,” he said pointing out that the recent award of the contract for the expansion of the road to 10 lanes and the setting aside of N2 billion to compensate property owners whose properties fell within the right of way the project “is already undoubtedly an impetus to investors with foresight.”

Ashafa enjoined others who have genuine claims to come forward to the bureau to submit their titles and claims for the processing of their compensation.

Source: http://www.compassnewspaper.com/NG/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63161:property-owners-on-lagosbadagry-road-commend-government-for-compensations-&catid=72:property&Itemid=710

Flood takes over streets in Badagry
By Agency reporter
Thursday, 22 Jul 2010

Many streets and access roads in Badagry, Lagos State, have been flooded following torrential rains, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

NAN reports that heavy rainfall in the ancient town in the past week, left many homes and vehicles submerged while some major roads became impassable.

According to NAN, mostly affected is Samuel Ekundayo Road, a major access road to many areas within the historic town and an alternative route to the usually congested Lagos-Badagry highway with which it runs parallel for about three kilometres.

NAN observed that car owners in the affected areas now park their vehicles far away from home and join students and other residents to wade through the flood.

Residents told NAN that an abandoned road project had contributed immensely to the flooding as it was not the case in the past.

An employee of the Administrative Staff College, Topo-Badagry, Mr. Akeem Ayelotan, told NAN that living in Badagry had suddenly become a harrowing experience.

Source: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20100722434678