Genius100:

Spoken like a true Crack junkie! Of what consequence is it that New york is not in the same state of New Jersey? Hundreds of thousands of people live in New Jersey and work in New york, so what is your point? The point here is that you want to commute to a premium place like New york, you pay for it.

Second, Is toll currently being charged ? The road has been completed for several months and nobody has paid toll yet. That should tell an intellectual dwarf like you that Fashola is looking for alternatives. When they start charing toll without providing an alternative oad, then you can open your stinking trap. Just don't come here to talk about the inconvenience of using the alternative road.

aribisala0:

@coogar you will notice I did not make any remarks about you?
try and deal with the issues without  referencing me. You are not really in a position to comment on my intelligence or lack of it.
like i said we don't agree on the facts.
i know Lagos VERY well particularly ALL those parts that are considered Ijebu land. There have been armed robberies in Ikorodu pretty much every day and a younger  area  "brother" was gunned down last week.
Our experience of security is different.

Yes as far as concessioning goes THE PUBLIC have a right to ask how much the company is making i.e cost basis vis a vis justification for the levy since it involves mandatory fees on public infrastructure.
as voters/tax payers people have a right to ask
What is the COST of the works that are being claimed and does this justify the arrangements entered into.
Personally i do NOT know and take no position BUT the government needs to open up

In fact if the freedom of information act was functioning like it should we would know everything about this deal.
there are people who are AUTOCHTHONS in that area and I do not see why they should pay a premium for living in there homesteads.

If the Idea is a premium area charge, this should entail premium services which the government does NOT provide in Lekki. The government should come out and say they have such a policy and we can debate its lawfulness and evenness of application.
so far what i see are ad-hoc explanations for what is a scheme that has been poorly conceived and communicated.

2AMLasgidi:

I work in Lekki Phase 1; I drive to and from this road every day. Since LCC has announced the tolling commencement date, I have cultivated the habit of using the alternative routes in the morning. I make my turning just by the Four Point junction through Oba Yesufu Abiodun Oniru by the City of David Church, I just turn to the left to T. F. Kuboye Road and hit the popular Market road to link the-Eti Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway. I’ll just make my U-Turn at the newly constructed Round about pronto am right inside Lekki Phase 1. No toll payment… so what is the fuss all about?


When do we move forward if we stifle development project with protests? Last year we all requested for alternative routes which they have provided, so what else? If you don’t want to pay just branch out at the ‘Four Point Junction” Guys, we may as well just bid farewell to other investors bring their money to invest in infrastructure. I blame the Lagos State government too, they need to explain this thing clearly to people so that those who have their own personal agenda dont come out and misinform the public as we are witnessing now. I learnt Bode George is the man to lead the protest march being planned for Sunday 18, December. What nonsense!

Check out this : Fast Facts about China Roads…
• China’s expressway network of 65,000 kilometers (40,389 miles) is the second largest in the world, next only to the U.S.
• By 2020 the government plans to reach three million kilometers (1.86 million miles) of expressways and highways, up from two million kilometers (1.24 million miles) in 2008.
• China houses more toll roads than any other country, with Chinese toll roads representing more than 70% of the world’s total toll roads.
• The government finances the majority of the road projects through its own budget and debt, while the private sector plays a limited role.
• The toll road sector was one of the three most profitable businesses in China for 2009, along with real estate and finance.

Read More:  http://www.thomaswhite.com/explore-the-world/bric-spotlight/china-toll-roads-expressways.aspx

He said time is up for ACN in the state. 'Fashola should not pay money to Tinubu. [size=13pt]How can you have three tollgates in one local government? There is no alternative route for people in the area that may choose not to go through the tollgate.[/size] This is imprisonment. These people don't mean well for the state,' said George.

Lagos State governor, after lifting the ban on toll collection retorted:

'The politically motivated resistance to the commencement of toll collection on the Eti-Osa, Lekki-Epe Expressway means that your government had to part with N4 billion for year 2011 which could have been used to provide more schools,

inner roads, hospitals and social needs in Eti-Osa, Ibeju-Lekki and Epe areas.

'This decision was sensible and necessary in order to maintain much needed and growing investor confidence in the Lagos economy, in order to maintain our credit rating and reduce our credit risk.

Giving an overview of the project in an exclusive interview with THISDAY last week, CEO/managing director, LCC, Opuiyo Oforiokuma, recalled that the design, financing, rehabilitation, upgrade, operation and maintenance, of approximately 50km of the Eti-Osa Lekki-Epe Expressway and approximately 20km of the coastal road, with the option to construct the southern bypass, was concessioned to LCC as far back as 2006(When Tinubu was Governor), under a 30-year concession using the build, operate and transfer model for public private partnerships.

Justifying the planned commencement of toll collection, he said “The concession agreement between Lagos State Government and LCC provides for the road to be tolled when defined sections are substantially completed, and have been certified as such by the independent engineer - an international firm of consultant engineers with significant experience in projects of this nature.”

He maintained that the first road section, which commences at the descent from the Falomo Bridge Loop onto Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue in Victoria Island, and ends near the Marwa Bus Stop in Lekki, was certified by the independent engineering firm as substantially complete in July 2010.

[size=13pt]According to him, the Lagos State Government, however, prevented LCC from commencing the collection of tolls as provided for under the concession agreement for various reasons, which as stated in the government's public announcement on December 29, 2010, suspending toll collection, included a desire on the part of government to allow more time for it to provide alternative routes to enable road users that prefer not to pay tolls, to bypass the toll plazas, and also to allow more of the road works to be completed[/size].

[size=13pt]“However, it appears from the governor's November 14 budget speech, during which he announced the lifting of the previous suspension of tolling, that the payment to LCC as provided for in the concession agreement has placed a strain on the government's resources. This, we understand, besides the need to begin to apply user-pays principles for what is a high quality road asset and related services, were key drivers behind Lagos State Government's lifting of the suspension of toll collection on the Eti-Osa Lekki-Epe Expressway,” Oforiokuma said.[/size]

When prodded to disclose how much has been paid into the coffers of his company by the state government, the company's helmsman declined, describing such issue as a confidential one. “Such issues are covered by confidentiality. Accordingly, LCC is not at liberty to discuss this in the media. We note, however, that the governor during his 2012 budget speech, stated that Lagos State Government had paid N4 billion to LCC by way of compensation,” he said.

Against the backdrop of the heated debate generated by the previous attempt to introduce toll fares on the road, Oforiokuma said the latest effort by the state government to allow LCC run the road amounted to letting the company do what it ought to have done a year ago.

“As the private investor financing and providing the new road assets and related services, and one which has fulfilled all the requirements of the concession agreement in this regard, that Lagos State Government is now permitting LCC to commence toll collection is simply putting LCC in a position to do what we have been entitled to for over a year now. This is how private investment in infrastructure works.

Kobojunkie:

. . . . . .

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/lagos-lcc-justify-payment-of-tolls-on-lekki-epe-expressway/104765/


So, no indications that the Government actually kept it's promise of providing alternative routes . . . the suspension is being lifted simply because of the strain of the cost on the government . . .

Kobojunkie:

I am gonna guess you do not know what clutching at straws means .  . 

The article tells you of no such alternative routes. . .  matter of fact, as of December 11th 2011, LCC CEO speaks in FUTURE TENSE of the possibilities that could exist with alternative routes . . . That all flew over your head, didn't it??

Seriously, learn to do some real brain work on these things. People will tell you stories on Nairaland but you have to at least be willing to do your homework to ascertain the truth of what you read. 

Kobojunkie:

Again . . . LCC CEO himself, according to the report, speaks of existence of alternative routes in the FUTURE tense. Unless someone is able to provide us with verifiable facts that the report is wrong, I would rather go with the report until then.

Saying one believes what one reads on a forum is, to me, lazy-brained approach to research.

When we had this debate last year(2010), I remember quite clearly that some of those on here SWORE HEAVEN AND HELL that Fashola had already provided alternative routes, and so the Lekki residents ought to shut the f-up! However, just some days after the thread had reached, I believe, it's 8th page, Fashola came out and announced suspension of tolls so ALTERNATIVE ROUTES CAN BE PROVIDED . . . Imagine that !!!

Kobojunkie:

Again . . . LCC CEO himself, according to the report, speaks of existence of alternative routes in the FUTURE tense. Unless someone is able to provide us with verifiable facts that the report is wrong, I would rather go with the report until then.

Saying one believes what one reads on a forum is, to me, lazy-brained approach to research.

When we had this debate last year(2010), I remember quite clearly that some of those on here SWORE HEAVEN AND HELL that Fashola had already provided alternative routes, and so the Lekki residents ought to shut the f-up! However, just some days after the thread had reached, I believe, it's 8th page, Fashola came out and announced suspension of tolls so ALTERNATIVE ROUTES CAN BE PROVIDED . . . Imagine that !!!

TAKING into cognizance the protest that characterized the proposed tolling arrangement on the Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe expressway in time past, the Lagos State government, in conjunction with the Concessionaire, the Lekki Construction Company (LCC), last week unveiled the alternative routes ahead of December 18th, toll collection date.

The alternative route for those who may not want to pass through the Admiralty Circle Plaza (1st tolling plaza), located at kilometer 3 along the expressway, is the Ligali Ayorinde-Oba Oniru road, en-route Market Road-First Roundabout. The road is an entrance point to link the expressway for road users coming from either Ikoyi or Victoria Island.

Besides, the second alternative route is for the residents along the Lekki axis, especially, those living in places such as Agungi, Osapa, second round about, Jakande and others and those coming from Eleko-Epe axis. These set of road users have the opportunity of avoiding the tolling plaza, by making a detour at the second round about. The link road passes through Remi Olowude-Kuboye road, also linking the Oniru-Market to connect Exxon Mobil office in Maroko, for those going to, Ikoyi, Obalende and Lagos Island and Ligali Ayorinde to those going to Victoria Island.

Apart from the alternative routes, there are also slip/access roads linking the various communities and business concerns to the expressway. Such newly constructed roads are in places like QMB Builders market, Insurance PHB, Elizade motors immediately after the second round about and places like the Osapa-Agungi axis.

[b]The third alternative route[/b]that commence from both sides of Chevron areas are still ongoing. It was non-completion of these routes that informed the decision by the Lagos government not to allow tolling at the “Conservation Plaza”, the second tolling plaza located at kilometer 13, in the vicinity of Chevron Nigeria Limited.

[b]Briefing Journalists during the tour of the road last week, [/b]the Director General, Private public Partnership (PPP) in Lagos Dr. Ayo Gbeleyi, explained the rationale behind the construction of these alternative routes and access roads.
According to him, one of the agitations by the residents and other stakeholders was the perceived financial burden that tolling would impose on them. Besides, there was this complaint about the inconveniences the fencing of the right of way (ROA) would also impose on the residents and businesses to connect their respective homes and offices.

“The reality was there that these agitations are not unfounded. However, government, in its quest to ameliorate the financial burden, asked the concessionaire to ensure that alternative routes are provided at the appropriate locations. Besides, they were also instructed to provide slip roads at the various locations to avoid undue frustration on the residents”, said Gbeluyi.

On the issue of fencing, many factors informed the decision. Part of the reasons, explained the PPP director general, include the need to protect what he called “traffic insanity”, by the various residents and business owners that may want to come out or get to their premises at every point. “This, coupled with the instances of animals that usually strayed into the highways and the need to protect the ROA from any form of abuses were some of the reasons that informed the fencing. It was purely to ensure safety of lives and property and not for any other ulterior purposes”.

On whether there is political undertone for the suspension of tolling by government last year, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Abdul Lateef Aderemi Ibirogba, said contrary to the notion that tolling was suspended because of election, “the main reason is that government want to ensure that all the grey areas such as provision of alternative routes, fencing and number of tolling, among other issues were properly addressed”, he said, adding that it was the same consideration that informed the suspension of tolling at the second plaza, pending the completion of the alternative routes and slip roads in the affected areas.

Earlier, the Managing Director, LCC, Mr. Opuiyo Oforiokuma, had announced the commencement date of tolling to be as from the midnight of December 17, 2011. He explained that apart from security and other traffic related innovations being put in place by the L.C.C , “Nigerians plying this route would understand and experience an uncommon service delivery along the axis”.
He told the gathering at the media parley that the second phase of the project will complete in 2012.

The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Aderemi Ibirogba, at a joint press conference with LCC’s team in Lagos, said government decided to go ahead with toll collection because some of the alternative routes created for people who don’t want to patronise the LCC facilities are now ready for use.

The state government had stayed action on the collection of tolls on the roads in the wake of demonstration and criticisms by stakeholders on the Lekki corridor.

However, Managing Director/ CEO of LCC, Mr. Opuiyo Oforiokuma, who expressed the readiness of his company to ensure road users get full benefits for their money said road users, can avoid the payment of tolls by using alternative routes created by the state government. Such people, according to him, can still make use of the expressway by gaining access to the road through some of the adjacent roads, which funnel into the expressway.

For instance, Toll Plaza 1 has an alternative road through Oniru Arch-City David Road-Market and back on the expressway. Dismissing the gale of criticisms that greeted the earlier attempts to introduce tolls on the road, Oforiokuma said infrastructure projects are capital intensive, adding that it is difficult for any government to meet all the infrastructural needs of the people. “It is about time we recognise the need to pay for what we use, infrastructure is not free,” he said.

According to him, the company process transactions in excess of 2 million month, explaining that the highest peak period of traffic flow recorded was in October when the figure hit approximately 8,000 vehicles. He said the delay over the project was caused by demographical challenge in the state.

To make things easy for users of the road, the LCCI chief said facilities like towing vehicle service, ambulance and a good security arrangement have been put in place by his company.

The state governor had earlier in the year explained that the initial resistance to the commencement of toll collection on the Eti-Osa, Lekki-Epe Expressway means that the state would have to part with N4 billion for this year, which could have been used to provide more schools, inner roads, hospitals and social needs in Eti-Osa, Ibeju-Lekki and Epe areas.”

He described the development as a sensible and necessary decision in order to maintain the much-needed and growing investor confidence in the Lagos economy, maintain credit rating and reduce credit risk.

Kobojunkie:



Alternative ROUTES vs Alternative ROUTE

naptu2:

Been using Oniru New Market rd (from Ligali Ayorinde) since 2008. It by-passes Admiralty Circle Plaza.

2AMLasgidi:

I work in Lekki Phase 1; I drive to and from this road every day. Since LCC has announced the tolling commencement date, I have cultivated the habit of using the alternative routes in the morning. I make my turning just by the[b] Four Point junction through Oba Yesufu Abiodun Oniru by the City of David Church, I just turn to the left to T. F. Kuboye Road and hit the popular Market road to link the-Eti Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway. I’ll just make my U-Turn at the newly constructed Round about pronto am right inside Lekki Phase 1[/b]. No toll payment… so what is the fuss all about?


When do we move forward if we stifle development project with protests? Last year we all requested for alternative routes which they have provided, so what else? If you don’t want to pay just branch out at the ‘Four Point Junction” Guys, we may as well just bid farewell to other investors bring their money to invest in infrastructure. I blame the Lagos State government too, they need to explain this thing clearly to people so that those who have their own personal agenda dont come out and misinform the public as we are witnessing now. I learnt Bode George is the man to lead the protest march being planned for Sunday 18, December. What nonsense!

Check out this : Fast Facts about China Roads…
• China’s expressway network of 65,000 kilometers (40,389 miles) is the second largest in the world, next only to the U.S.
• By 2020 the government plans to reach three million kilometers (1.86 million miles) of expressways and highways, up from two million kilometers (1.24 million miles) in 2008.
• China houses more toll roads than any other country, with Chinese toll roads representing more than 70% of the world’s total toll roads.
• The government finances the majority of the road projects through its own budget and debt, while the private sector plays a limited role.
• The toll road sector was one of the three most profitable businesses in China for 2009, along with real estate and finance.

Read More:  http://www.thomaswhite.com/explore-the-world/bric-spotlight/china-toll-roads-expressways.aspx

karl max:

Expand for where it was and has not been expanded the estate residence are buildind gates to protect there road

Kobojunkie:

Ukpabio!!!! lol

Are they allowed to gate the roads? 

Before the press conference, journalists had been taken on an experiential site tour of the alternative routes and this provided them opportunity to see the quality of infrastructure and added services that have been put in place on the Eti Osa-Lekki-Epe corridor.

[size=13pt]The site tour took the journalists through the first completed alternative route that runs from Oba Yesufu Abiodun Oniru Road that starts shortly after the Mobil petrol station to Market Road and back on the expressway to enable residents by-pass the first toll plaza at Admiralty Circle. [/size]

[size=13pt]The second alternative route is the 34-kilometre road at Chevron Drive out of which 1.5 kilometres have been completed while work is in progress on the remaining 1.9 kilometres.[/size]

emmatok:

He meant they are not Main roads, just streets link one estate to the other.

And those estate people shut their gates at certain period for security reasons.

naptu2:

Bad portions of the  Oniru road were rehabilitated by Hitech. However, I gathered from people living further down the expressway that there are no alternatives to the 2nd & 3rd toll plazas (well, the only "alternative" is a sandy path along the coastline).