₦airaland Forum

EFFECTS OF FLOODING: FG’S ASSISTANCE FOR LAGOS AN URGENT IMPERATIVE – FASHOLA

Date Posted: 2011-07-14 15:17:25

Says President Jonathan has shown concern as he tours affected areas for third day running


Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Wednesday continued his on the spot assessment of areas affected by last Sunday’s heavy down pour in Lagos State saying the State would seek assistance from the Federal Government to address the effects of the flood which now has a national impact.

Governor Fashola who toured flood affected areas in the Eti-Osa local Government Area, including the Alpha Beach where erosion had been further aggravated, said the Atlantic Ocean was currently redrawing the geographical map of Nigeria adding that the State Government would do an estimate of the cost of providing palliative measures to stem the encroachment of the Ocean and present same to the Federal Government for assistance.

According to the Governor, who spoke in an interview with newsmen at the back of NICON Town in Ajah after the inspection, “I am told that we need to put a shoreline protection like we did at the Bar Beach over a minimum area of three metres on the Alpha Beach . We are going to do an estimate and expect that we should get support from the Federal Government and the President”.

He said President Goodluck Jonathan has been very concerned and has called him to express concern and sympathize with the Government and people of Lagos State , adding that the next step was to do the financial costing which would be sent to the Federal Government.

On what the State Government is doing on its part, Governor Fashola disclosed that 10 major storm channels are under construction in the area, adding that the storm channels would assist in draining water from the Atlantic Ocean side of Eti Osa into the lagoon across the expressway.

The Governor explained that the storm water construction would ensure that year in year out and going into the future there is a reliable drainage infrastructure for Lekki and Eti-Osa region of the State.

Governor Fashola, who inspected the Alpha Beach which has been severely eroded, explained that what has been witnessed at the beach was a natural erosion which, according to him, “is a consequence of the rise in water level which is a result of global warming”.

“What we need to do there is to reclaim the beach. We have lost about 50 metres of land to the ocean and it is continuing. You could see that the road has begun to cave in there. It is a natural disaster which is not as a result of the rain”, the Governor said.

Governor Fashola, who also spoke on health risks to the residents of the flooded areas, said Government was concerned by the body of water brought into the area by the flood which may carry some dangers in terms of water borne diseases.

“We are just appealing to the citizens to be extra careful. As much as possible, wash your hands and feet regularly if you have to walk through the water, using regular soaps. Our health workers have been mobilized and will go round in the fullness of time to assist in the sanitization and also give you disinfectant where it is possible across communities”, the Governor told the residents.

He appealed to local government chairmen and community leaders to help and support the people in the area of hygiene, adding that the State Government has opened collection centres in the Ministries of Health and Special Duties where public spirited people who want to donate relief materials to the people could go and donate.

Governor Fashola who also responded to a question on whether activities of some traditional rulers may have been impeding the construction of some of the drainage channels, said he would rather not identify the problem as the challenge of traditional rulers alone.

The Governor who spoke specifically about the NICON Estate in Ajah, said it does not have a traditional ruler yet adding, “Government is having challenges about building a storm water channel through the estate to drain water into the lagoon”.

“It is a judgmental call really about the value you put on land and I think that really is the issue. People place so much value and premium on their land, but at the end what is the value of a flooded land and a depreciating real estate. So, it is a question of real judgment to say, let me yield some of this land because Government has no interest to take your land except to build a storm water channel through it so that your property is secured and safe and that is our responsibility”, the Governor said.

According to him, “One way to do this is by building storm water channels and if you say we cannot use your land to build the storm water channel, maybe in 10 years time you will have no land at all. If I were in a position that I would give away some land to keep more land instead of putting the whole estate at risk, I would do so. These are the kind of proposals that we will make”.

He added, “We have a similar problem with Chevron Estate at Okun-Afa and Igbokuta where the water drains from the drainage we are constructing from Silver Bird Television area in Maiyegun. This is the final outflow into the lagoon. If we can’t cross through here, we can’t solve the problem of that side”.

Continuing, the Governor said, “The water has to come through this storm channel to get to the final drain which is the lagoon. So, if estates like NICON and CHEVRON and all of those community interests stand in our way, clearly they would have helped to endanger this whole community because we are ready to go”.

Other places visited by the Governor during the tour include Ilasan where he inspected the channels at Igbokusu and Silver Bird Road where he stopped by to address the residents to be ready to remove some of the buildings that are on the drain line.

He sympathized with residents who lost properties during the 16-hour rain, adding that there is a need for the people to respect the drain line and have patience with the contractors who are working on them to complete the contract.

He urged the land owners to desist from selling land indiscriminately especially those on drain lines, adding that when they do this they set off a chain of action which causes anguish to the whole community.

Governor Fashola also visited the Maiyegun Beach to see the suspended alignment to drain Igbo Efon, Alpha Beach to inspect Coastal erosion and also inspected the 11.8 kilometre culvert point Channel 7 near UBA.

At the Agungi Channel where he inspected construction alignment on Channel 6 and was briefed that some residents are preventing the contractor from going ahead with the work, Governor Fashola gave a directive to State officials to remove any culvert that is disturbing the progress of work on the alignment insisting that Government will establish all drainage channels to safeguard life and properties of the residents. He also visited Osapa London where he inspected the drain along the community.

The Governor was conducted round the affected areas by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainages in the Ministry of the Environment, Engineer Muyideen Akinsanya, Other officials who accompanied him on the tour include the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Tunji Bello, Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Wale Ahmed, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Remi Ibirogba, Special Adviser on the Environment, Dr Taofeek Folami, House of Asembly members representing Eti-Osa I and II, Hon. Kazeem Alimi and Hon. Gbolahan Yishau, their counterpart representing Ibeju/Lekki I, Hon. Mojeed Fatai and officials of the Department of Drainage Service.


http://www.lagosstate.gov.ng/index.php?page=news&nid=1276

Here is the Lastman and the car.

The building in the backgroud is the Polo building.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR A TECHNICAL AUDIT BY A ROAD TOLL SPECIALIST OF THE TOLLING SYSTEM OF THE LAGOS INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT TOLL ROAD
Date: 2011-06-01 17:48:56


LAGOS STATE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP OFFICE
I - INTRODUCTION


1. Project Background
In pursuit of its road infrastructure development, the Lagos State Government (LSG) embarked on the upgrade and expansion of the Eti-Osa Lekki - Epe Expressway through a public-private-partnership – the Lagos Infrastructure Project (LIP) Toll Road. This culminated in the signing of a 30-year concession agreement between the Lagos State Roads (PSP) Authority and Lekki Concession Company (LCC) in April, 2006, and achieving Financial Close in November, 2008.

2. Project Summary
A brief description of the project scope is as below.
1. Design and building road infrastructure (rehabilitate or remove and replace the existing assets and develop new infrastructure), in phases, entailing:
a. Phase I - Expansion and upgrade of 49.4km of the Ozumba Mbadiwe
Avenue/Eti-Osa Lekki - Epe Expressway divided into the following sections:
i. Section 1: km 0 - 6
ii. Section 2: Km 6 - 15
iii. Section 3: Km 15 – 21.9
iv. Section 4: Km 21.9 – 49.36
b. Phase II - Construction of 20km of Coastal Road, plus an option to build the
Southern Bypass


2. Operation and maintenance of new road infrastructure.

The project cost is in the main financed by LCC and will be recovered principally through charging of user tolls.

The Concession conditions include the following rights and obligations of LCC:
 Design, construct, finance and operate the infrastructure
 Charge, collect and retain for its account monies arising from operations (tolls and ancillary revenues).

3. Project Status
Phase 1, Section 1 (Km 0 – 6) works of the project have been substantially completed and hence toll traffic counting at plaza 1 is now on stream. Against the backdrop of certain host communities related issues that are currently being addressed amongst the stakeholders, a shadow toll regime as opposed to user-based tolling is in place.
II - TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR ROAD TOLL SPECIALIST

A. Objective of Assignment
The LSG wishes to ascertain that the traffic data emanating from toll plaza 1 provide a reliable basis for the shadow toll regime. For this purpose the LSG wants to engage a Road Toll Specialist (RTS) to undertake a comprehensive technical and operational audit of the Automatic Vehicle Counting (AVC) system and its output. The RTS should identify any design and operational problems that could invalidate the traffic data derived from the AVC output, and recommend remedial measures such that reliable data are generated by the system.

This exercise is expected to assist in establishing trust in the AVC system so that any data generated by the system are recognized as legitimate.

B. Scope of Assignment
The RTS will undertake the following tasks:

1. Desktop review of:
a. Handover and testing documentation – a review of the documents associated with the handover, testing, completion and certification of the equipment
b. Documentation relating to the type of equipment specified and installed for the AVC compared with other market suppliers
c. Problems identified as common with similar projects that could possibly be applicable to the installed system
d. The (i) split methodology between Classes II and II A adopted by LCC, (ii) classification business rule adjustments (e.g. Class II based on 1.05 meter height) and (iii) treatment of exempt users.


2. Evaluation of the functionality and fit-for-purpose of the AVC system. The equipment should be inspected to ascertain quality of performance, installation and maintenance. Investigations should include, but not be limited to, the following potential problem areas:
a. Incorrect configuration of the AVC equipment
b. Difficulties in software integration between AVC and toll controller c. Damage/degradation of treadles
d. Damage to road surface in vicinity of treadles
e. Degradation caused by increased dust/dirt due to increase in construction traffic
f. Maintenance/cleaning not keeping pace with requirements.


3. Verification of the traffic data generated by the AVC system. A substantive testing of the AVC and a thorough audit of the toll plaza 1 tolling system output should be undertaken. This will include the following tasks, among others:
a. A manual survey involving both (i) reviewing CCTV footage and (ii) manually standing in each lane and recording the vehicle throughput; appropriate random sampling techniques will be used to generate an acceptable degree of precision of these data
b. Identification of any discrepancies between (i) the above manually collected
data and (ii) the toll system ‘hourly traffic by lane’ reports generated by LCC.


4. Review of the control processes and procedures used by LCC for the AVC system and confirmation that they accord with best practices.

C. Reports/ Deliverables

The RTS will submit reports to the Lagos State PPP Office which shall, amongst others, include the following:
1. An Inception Report one week after mobilization containing preliminary observations on the assignment and highlighting any problems that could interfere with the RTS successfully completing his work.
2. Reports on progress with respect to each of the main 4 tasks listed above.
3. Final report on all findings and recommendations.

D. Timeline
It is expected that the RTS will complete the assignment over a period of 4 to 6 weeks from contract execution.

E. Inputs to Be Provided by LSG
Data: The LSG will ensure that relevant data and information related to the assignment are made available to the RTS.
Counterpart Assistance: The LSG PPP Office will assign staff to work with the RTS as
needed.
Support Facilities: LSG will provide an office and support facilities for the use of the RTS when carrying out desk-review tasks. The RTS will make his own local transport and support arrangements when undertaking tasks in the field.

III - REQUIREMENTS FOR PROPOSALS

Proposers for the RTS should be reputable international firms or consortia with the requisite skills and experience as demonstrated on similar assignments.

The proposal will consist of a technical proposal and a financial proposal. The proposal should be sent in an e-mail entitled “Proposal from [name of bidder] for Road Tolling Specialist” containing two attachments in pdf format, one for the technical proposal entitled “Technical Proposal from [name of bidder] for Road Tolling Specialist” and one for the financial proposal entitled “Financial Proposal from [name of bidder] for Road Tolling Specialist”.
Proposals should be received by the following officer by 5 PM on 9 June 2011: Team Leader - Compliance
Lagos State Public- Private Partnership Office
Governor’s Office, Lagos House,
Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
e-mail: sotuyalo@lagosstateppp.gov.ng

Firms and consortia that intend to submit proposals should advise the above officer accordingly by email in advance of the above due date.

Technical Proposal

Proposers for the RTS should have relevant experience in designing, installing and maintaining AVC equipment and systems. This experience should be described in detail in the technical proposal, referring to actual clients of the firm.

The technical proposal should detail the following:
1. Description of methodology to be used in line with the scope of services
2. Detailed work plan to achieve the objectives of the assignment
3. Detailed timeline and milestones for implementation of the services.

Experts proposed by the firm should have demonstrable and highly relevant experience in examining and auditing road tolling systems. Detailed CVs of the experts should be included as part of the proposal.

Financial Proposal
The contract will be a lump sum agreement with payments linked to report deliverables. The financial proposal should detail the total lump sum proposed and the stages of payments thereof linked to the assignment deliverables.

Evaluation of Proposals
The evaluation process to be used by the Lagos State PPP Office is as follows:
1. Technical Proposals will be opened
2. Technical Proposals will be scored against evaluation criteria
3. Firms whose Technical Proposals score above a pre-determined threshold will then have their Financial Proposals opened and scored in terms of lump sums proposed
4. The firm whose Technical and Financial Proposals have the highest combined score
will be invited for negotiations.




http://www.lagosstate.gov.ng/showspecial.php?eventidd=28

Ogun repairs parts of Lagos-Ibadan expressway
By Dimeji Kayode Adedeji

July 28, 2011 11:31PM

In order to ameliorate the hardship being experienced by commuters on the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, the government of Ogun State has begun repair works on the completely dilapidated portion of the highway at Mowe, opposite the Redeemed Christian Church of God Camp.

While briefing journalists during an inspection tour of the road, the state commissioner for Works, Lekan Adegbite said the state government was uncomfortable with the "appalling" state of the 500-metre stretch of the road and its socio-economic cost to the indigenes of the state, who transact business on the axis.

"The state governor, Ibikunle Amosun was distressed by the horrendous hardship being imposed on the people by the dilapidated road and has therefore decided to effect its repair with or without the concessionaire, Bi-Courtney," Mr Adegbite said.

A major drainage is also being constructed along the stretch in order to ensure the durability of the repaired portion.

Ironically, the state government has been engaged in a battle of wits with Bi-Courtney, the company that won the federal government's concession to manage and repair the largely failed road about four years ago.

Controversial road

The company said the decision of the state governor to allocate a former construction site to tanker drivers who park indiscriminately along the road, is going to affect its work as it had previously won the right to make use of the place. But the state government said the agreement was never sealed and that it had to do something about the trailers, whose activities has led to several accidents and deaths.

The state has also launched remedial work on another failed federal road within its territory, the Lagos-Abeokuta road.

Shortly after a visit by the governor, Ibikunle Amosun to Sango-Ota, where he trekked several kilometres while inspecting the poor road network in the area, minor repairs were effected on the failed portions of the road, specifically at Joju, Garage, Dalemo and Toll Gate.




http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5736110-146/story.csp

In my years of driving the streets of Lagos, I have come to understand why some things happen.

One of the things I have learnt is that traffic jam (or go-slow) is a very veritable tool employed by various people to boost their "trade".

The go-slow hawkers readily come to mind. The slow moving traffic creates a market for them to sell their goods.

Some other people who have found the go-slow very useful are those robbers who attack motorists and their passengers in the traffic.

Wherever there is go-slow you would find the hawkers (unless KAI officials are about). If the go-slow is a regular one and other conditions are right, you would surely find the robbers striking.

To create this "market", these robbers sometimes create pot-holes or increase the size of existing pot-holes. I have seen this happen along various roads in the city.

Even in a place like the Lekki waterfront where those with 4x4s used to drive over the sandy beach to avoid the heavy traffic caused by construction works being carried out on the expressway, area boys dig ditches along the regularly used paths and wait for motorists to drive into the ditches at which point they emerge in their numbers to harass the hapless motorist to part with huge sums of money before being dug out and allowed to go.

Now, another trend I have seen emerging is that of law enforcement agents and traffic management
officers using the traffic situation to create markets for themselves.

A good and recent example is Ozumba Mbadiwe Street on Victoria Island.  Every year (https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-367311.0.html#msg5156043, https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-367311.0.html#msg5304707), a crater-like ditch appears just in front of Total/Oceanic Bank along the road near the Falomo Bridge . The crater always starts off as a little pothole that slows down passing vehicles for a few seconds.

The ditch within a few days however  grows “mysteriously” into a large crater and becomes the source of a traffic hold-up that stretches from that point sometimes all the way close to the Walter Carrington junction.

This year, the crater appeared again just after the heavy deluge that hit Lagos recently. As usual, the crater has been causing go-slow.

What is however interesting is that I have now noticed a particular LASTMA official who lurks around Radisson Blu Hotel along the road waiting for motorists who would use their cell phones while in the traffic. Immediately he sees such a motorist, this LASTMA official would dash out of hiding and get the motorist to park at a lay-by. And I imagine that what follows is a shakedown of the motorist.

Policemen have also cashed in on the “market” by apprehending motorcyclists who ply the route without helmets.

Please understand, I do not have any objections to people doing their job but when a LASTMA guy is ambushing motorists presumably to extort money from them at around 6 p.m. I am left with no option but to wonder what is the difference between him and the robbers who attack motorists in go-slows or the area boys who dig ditches along the beachfront?

Fee-Dee-Fee Over to you!

The Apapa-Oshodi expressway leads to Badagry.

16 senators spend millions of naira to inspect Oshodi – Apapa Expressway .

Tuesday, 26 July 2011 00:00 Joshua Bassey . .•Shocked by poor state of road

One week after a federal government delegation made a visit to assess the impact of the July 10, 2011 flood disaster in Lagos, a 16-man Senate delegation, also yesterday, landed in Lagos, at an estimated N4 million cost to tax payers.

The 16-man senate delegation’s air fare is put at over N1.3 million and hotel accommodation not less than N800, 000 per day, for a visit most analysts and critics dismiss as sheer waste of resources.

Nigerians reacting, describe the visit as one too many by Abuja, without definite action to relieve victims of the flood and put paid to the suffering of motorists and commuters on deadly federal roads in the former federal capital territory. They also question what has been done with the N9.2 billion which the former minister of Works, Mohammed Dagash, was quoted to have said has been released to carry out routine maintenance works on the Apapa-Oshodi road.

Dagash had in May this year told reporters that the contract for the road was awarded to construction giant, Julius Berger Plc in November 2010 at a cost of N6.2 billion.

The road which has been described as one of the biggest ‘shame’ of the nation, is barely passable when it trains and has cost port users at the nation’s biggest sea ports, Apapa and Tin Can Island ports several billions of naira.

The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in the last two years says it has spent over N500 million to engage road repair contractors to fill up the gullies that frequently appear on the road. The failure of the road, shortly after repairs, raised frequent insinuations of fraud and deception on the award of the contract, the quality of the work and capacity of the contractors. Interestingly, both the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Government never responded proactively.

Analysts say the shoddy job done by the contractors underlies the shady process that led to the award of the contracts.

Speaking in an interview with BusinessDay, yesterday, Joe Igbokwe, publicity secretary, Lagos State chapter of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), said, “What Nigerians expect is concrete action that will bring an end to their agonising experience on most federal roads in Lagos and other parts of the country.

“Hundreds of visits without action amounts to nothing. Nigerians are suffering; Lagosians are going through harrowing experience on federal roads in Lagos. Any positive action taken in respect of Lagos is in the interest of the nation. Lagos is the melting pot of Nigeria’s economy. The Apapa-Oshodi Expressway for example leads to the biggest and most patronised ports in Nigeria with quantum contributions to the nation’s economy. Therefore, help extended to Lagos is help extended to the entire country,” Igbokwe said.

Itse Sagay, a law professor, who also spoke with BusinessDay, lamented what he described as the neglect of federal roads across the country. He stated as a matter of finality that the “Federal Government has failed in its responsibilities, especially in terms of road maintenance.”

Meanwhile, shocked by the level of deterioration of some of the areas visited, particularly the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, the visiting senate delegation assured that the Senate will put pressure on the Federal Government to release funds to tackle ecological problems in the former capital city.

The delegation led by former governor of Benue State, George Akume, was in Lagos to have a first-hand assessment of the environmental challenges faced by the state, and which in recent times, have been made worse by torrential rains and devastating floods.

“I can assure you that this delegation is non partisan. We are going to make our impartial reports based on what we have seen. We will put pressure on the Federal Government to do something urgently because what we have seen here is a threat to lives and properties in Lagos,” Akume told reporters, adding that Lagos deserves special attention from the Federal Government.

The senators, after inspecting the failed Iyana Itire and Second Rainbow sections of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, could, however, not proceed further to Trinity Bus Stop which has completely collapsed, as petroleum tankers lined the entire stretch of the road, with resultant traffic jams, which forced the delegation to beat a retreat at Berger.

The senators wondered aloud if it was the same road that leads to both Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports from where the Federal Government rakes in billions of naira annually.

This query was greeted by a spontaneous chorus of ‘yes’ response by Oluremi Tinubu, Gbenga Ashafa and Ganiyu Solomon, the three senators representing Lagos in the Senate, who were part of the delegation.

Akume, speaking further, said the delegation in its report to the Senate leadership, would emphasise the need to accord Lagos a special status.

http://www.businessdayonline.com/NG/index.php/news/76-hot-topic/25131-16-senators-spend-millions-of-naira-to-inspect-oshodi--apapa-expressway

“When two elephants fight, the grass suffers; and, when the same two elephants make love, the grass also suffers.” - African Proverb

The same story according to the current governor's political party "newspaper":
-------------------------------------


Bi-Courtney accuses Ogun of stopping work on asphalt site
By Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta 5 hours 38 minutes ago


A row has broken out between Ogun State and Bi-Courtney Highway Services – the concessionaire to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

It is over the ownership of a site the company claimed it acquired for its asphalt plant.

The management of Bi-Courtney yesterday alleged that the state government has stopped it from working from the site.

The company’s spokesman, Dipo Kehinde, in a statement, said the move came less than 24 hours after the Federal Government gave the company a 60-day ultimatum to complete palhative work on the expressway.

He described the action as a wrong move.

But the state government has defended its action.

Kehinde said: "Since the grant of the concession, Ogun State government was taken as a major partner, given that 80 per cent of the highway falls within the state.

He said: "Ogun State was to give us land as its own contribution to the project. The former RCC yard was identified, visited and allocated to us by the Ogun State government. The process entailed joint visit, and assessment before allocation, following all due process.

"To buttress this fact, we duly settled the land owners, promptly, to demonstrate our commitment to the site. The payment to the landowners was done, after due consultation with the state government and confirmation of the landowners at a joint stakeholders meeting with officials of the Bureau of Land. The State Government actually brokered the meeting with the family land owners.

"A search was also conducted at the Ogun State Survey Directorate, and the search report revealed that the property is unencumbered."

The Ogun State commissioner for information, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, had, on Sunday, issued a statement confirming that the state government had approved the site for Bi-Courtney, after the company submitted application for the use of the site on April 20, 2011.

The Minister of Works, Mr Mike Onolememen, an architect, had, on Saturday, visited the RCC yard as part of his assessment tour, to see what Bi-Courtney has been doing, and how government could assist the company in making an early delivery of the project.

During the inspection tour, which began from the Old Toll-Gate office of Bi-Courtney at 9a.m., the Minister pledged to give all necessary support to hasten work on the reconstruction of the road.

Chairman of Bi-Courtney, Dr. Olawale Babalakin, had earlier raised the alarm, during a visit to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye that some powerful interest groups are trying to frustrate the company’s efforts to deliver the project on time.

"Most people in Nigeria don’t know what concession is all about. There’s no road that has been done through concession in Nigeria before, apart from the Lekki-Epe Expressway, a 45-kilometre road that took the concessionaire five years to start the construction.


http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/13646-bi-courtney-accuses-ogun-of-stopping-work-on-asphalt-site.html

The story according to the former governor's newspaper:
--------------------------------------------------------------


Amosun leads squad to demolish Babalakin’s N1 billion plant .

Tuesday, 26 July 2011 00:56 Nigerian Compass Hits: 418 .   . .

LESS than 24 hours after the Federal Government gave Bi-Courtney Highway Services Limited a 60-day ultimatum to complete palliative works on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State Government at the weekend threatened to dismantle a $6.5 million (about N1 billion) asphalt plant the company bought for the project.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun, who personally led the team, comprising gun-totting, anti-riot policemen and some state government officials, ordered his men to dismantle the plant.

Besides, Amosun directed his government’s bulldozers to demolish the structure erected for the project by Bi-Courtney Highway Services, because he wanted to use the site for a trailer park and market.

The action came after the site had been approved by Amosun for Bi-Courtney “and we don’t know why he suddenly changed his mind,” said one of the workers.

But, for the resistance put by the Chief Security Officer of the concessionaire, Colonel Adeola Olabiyi (rtd), and his team, the governor would have pulled down the multi-million naira structure.



Despite this, the governor ordered the mobile policemen to lead one of the bulldozers to demolish the structure but when they saw the resistance of Olabiyi and his team, “they could not move and the governor felt disappointed that his order was not carried out”.

An eyewitness said: “We were really afraid. The governor told his policemen to draw their guns and the Bi-Courtney people also drew their guns. We thought they were going to start exchanging fire and for the fact that the governor was there, people started running. Can you imagine what could have happened if the two teams started shooting? I don’t know why the governor should personally lead the demolition squad. Is that the work of a governor? Why should he be going all over the place with policemen to terrorise people working legitimately?

“This is not the first time he would do this. The other time, he led policemen to a particular structure in Lagos and he was eventually embarrassed because the owner called the Inspector-General who ordered that all the policemen should leave the place. Why should the governor be embarrassing himself this way? Even military administrators didn’t behave this way. Thousands of motorists go through hell everyday on this road and now that they think that the road will be fixed, he has come again with his policy somersault. This action is shameful”.

In a statement issued yesterday, Bi-Courtney’s spokesman, Dipo Kehinde, described the action as a wrong move.

He said: “Since the grant of the concession, Ogun State Government was taken as a major partner, given that 80 per cent of the highway falls within the state.

“Ogun State was to give us land as its own contribution to the project. The former RCC yard was identified, visited and allocated to us by the Ogun State Government. The process entailed joint visit and assessment before allocation, following all due process.

“To buttress this fact, we duly settled the land owners, promptly, to demonstrate our commitment to the site. The payment to the landowners was done after due consultation with the state government and confirmation of the landowners at a joint stakeholders meeting with officials of the Bureau of Land. The state government actually brokered the meeting with the family land owners.

“A search was also conducted at the Ogun State Survey Directorate, and the search report revealed that the property is unencumbered.”

The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, had, on Sunday, issued a statement confirming that the state government had approved the site for Bi-Courtney, after the company submitted application for the use of the site on April 20, this year.

The Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, had, on Saturday, visited the RCC yard as part of his assessment tour, to see what Bi-Courtney has been doing and how the government could assist the company in making an early delivery of the project.

During the inspection tour, which began from the Old Toll-Gate office of Bi-Courtney at 9a.m., the minister pledged to give all necessary support to hasten work on the reconstruction of the road.

He mentioned the idea of involving army engineers in some aspects of the project, saying: “We shouldn’t saddle Bi-Courtney with the task of securing the Right of Way (ROW). We are going to bring in army engineers to assist.”

When asked if the ministry is considering the review of the concession with Bi-Courtney, Onolememen said: “No. There’s nothing like that. Bi-Courtney has been on track. There are processes in the execution of this project and the company has followed due process. The final design was approved on May 10.”

He said that the involvement of army engineers would help to secure the ROW, which is one of the major constraints in the execution of the project.

The Chairman of Bi-Courtney, Dr. Olawale Babalakin, had earlier raised the alarm, during a visit to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, that some powerful interest groups are trying to frustrate the company’s efforts to deliver the project on time.

Said Babalakin: “Most people in Nigeria don’t know what concession is all about. There’s no road that has been done through concession in Nigeria before, apart from the Lekki-Epe Expressway, a 45-kilometre road that took the concessionaire five years to start the construction.

“Many people don’t want us to build that road. There have been several stumbling blocks. We’ve been having problems with many powerful mediocres. Many people, whose structures will be affected have gone to court. There are 55 illegal petrol stations on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.”

Onolememen told reporters in an interview that the Federal Government did the right thing by giving the road project out as a concession.

He said: “This is a modern way of financing projects in the country now, because it is clear to us that the budgetary allocation of the Federal Government cannot match the demand for road rehabilitation and reconstruction in this country.

“There are basic things we would do very quickly; we want to ensure that within 60 days that the sufferings on the road be reduced.

“The final design was approved in May, this year, by the Federal Ministry of Works; our estate valuers have just completed work on the enumeration of properties on the Right of Way last week. By September, full work should start. But, before then, areas requiring urgent repairs must be attended to.

“If you look at the agreement concerning the road, there are steps to be taken. In the past one year, there have been phases they (Bi-Courtney) have had to comply with.”

http://www.nigeriancompass.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2181:amosun-leads-squad-to-demolish-babalakins-n1-billion-plant&catid=54:nigeria-today

Interestingly, a significant proportion of the senators are ACN senators:

George Akume, Benue - Leader of the delegation
Chris Ngige, Anambra
Gbenga Kaka, Ogun
of course the three Lagos Senators

These are the ones I could identify when I saw the new item on TV last night.

About time too.

When will the deadline end exactly?

We are watching and waiting. . .

Thanks blank

@blank

Any update for us?

@blank

Please give us your own update when you get back. Pictures will also be appreciated.

Thanks!

Missed you Megastu!

Are you back in Lagos now?

Someone told me last night that the traffic heading to Ajah from Chevron has reduced considerably. I can't confirm that though. I was told that the u-turn spot at Ajah has been relocated along with the bus park thereby freeing traffic there.

Incidentally, David Cameron, Fashola and Sanusi were some of the digintiatries who travled along that road to the Lagos Business School earlier this week. That visit might have been the catalyst for the 'brainwave ' LCC got to do something about the Ajah go-slow.

Imagine those three personalities and their entourage being caught up in the usual Ajah gridlock.

@Phuck_nl

The rains have not stopped work on the road.

The pace of work on the Chevron Toll Plaza seems to be to be faster than that on the first plaza. In my estimation, I'd say they've gone about 75%.

No surprise.

The surprise would have been a list without their names!

Obama’s motorcade fined for London congestion fees

Political Reporter
By Rachel Rose Hartman | The Ticket – 13 hrs ago

London Mayor Boris Johnson is raising a stink over minor congestion charges he says President Obama's motorcade incurred while visiting his city, the London Evening Standard reports.

Johnson has fined the United States 120 pounds (nearly $200 U.S. dollars) in congestion levies--10 pounds per vehicle--for the presidential motorcade used during Obama's state visit in May.

The sum may seem to be a pittance, but it is part of a much larger problem, Johnson and others say.

London officials told AFP that the American Embassy owes 5.3 million pounds ($8.7 million dollars) in unpaid congestion fines--known as C-charges--which were first established in 2003. Since the roads weren't closed during the president's visit, he is subject to the fines, Johnson says.

In speaking with the Standard, the Embassy defended its refusal to pay, citing the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which prohibits "this sort of tax on diplomatic missions."

The Standard reports that Obama's personal armored Cadillac--nicknamed "The Beast"--first escaped a fine because congestion charge cameras were unable to record its license plate number.

As you may remember, "The Beast" encountered problems of its own on that UK trip. During a visit to the U.S. Embassy in Dublin, Ireland, Obama's car got stuck on the driveway in front of crowds of onlookers.


http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/obama-motorcade-fined-london-congestion-fees-173333994.html

According to a publication (page 4) of LCC titled 'The Lekki Toll Road User Guide v1.0' of May 2010:

The Project is in two phases: Phase I includes the rehabilitation and upgrade of the existing road as well as the creation of new road infrastructure, along 49.4Km of
the Lekki-Epe Expressway; while Phase II includes construction of 20Km of the Coastal Road. Both roads are designed to be toll roads.

You can download the guide at http://cislagos.com/main/school-information/lagos-life/useful-information/item/download/59.html

Here's a news report from 2008 (http://www.pmforum.org/blogs/news/2008/07/nigerian-toll-road-project-receives.html):
_------------------------------------------------------------


Friday, July 04, 2008
Nigerian Toll Road Project receives AfDB funding
Reported by O. Chima Okereke in Port Harcourt

The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has approved a loan of up to US$ 85 million to help finance the upgrade/rehabilitation of the Lekki to Epe expressway, linking Victoria Island with the Lekki peninsula in Lagos, Nigeria's economic capital.

The project consists of upgrading, widening and tolling of the existing 49.5km long Lekki–Epe Expressway, which is the principal road artery linking Victoria Island in Lagos with the Lekki peninsula. The objective is to alleviate traffic congestion and improve road safety along the Lekki corridor. It is based on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) under the Design, Build, Operate (DBOT), and Transfer and Rehabilitate, Operate (ROT) framework/business model.

The first phase of the project will involve the rehabilitation of the existing 49.5km long expressway, the construction of a new ramp to carry traffic onto the Falomo bridge, construction of new interchanges, footbridges, walkways and bus stops along the expressway, construction of 6 kilometers of the new 20-km long coastal road (which will serve as an alternative road up to toll plaza 1), and build 10 interconnecting link roads between the Expressway and the coastal road respectively. Three toll plazas along the Expressway will also be constructed.

Phase two will consist of building the remaining 14 km of the coastal road, and will be contingent on the Lagos State Government‘s completion of civil works on the new coastal defenses (to check erosion).

The project sponsors, Asset and Resource Management Ltd, a reputable local firm, is partnering with Larue Projects Ltd. (Larue) as joint sponsors and, together, they play the role of "key investor" to the project.

As part of its due diligence, the Bank developed a detailed in-house financial model to quantify the economic benefits to the various stakeholders. The model results showed that the main beneficiaries of the project are the Nigerian road users who will enjoy a net consumer surplus of NGN 41.7 billion* in present value terms. Furthermore the Lekki toll road project will considerably alleviate the highly congested traffic situation in Lagos especially during rush hours. On completion, the toll road is expected to reduce travel times while improving road safety and security, lower vehicle operating costs for road users, create jobs, and provide much needed and well-maintained transportation infrastructure which will lead to an increase in business activities along the corridor.

The project is expected to create 635 short-term and 1,146 long-term jobs with a good proportion of the employees being women. Labor benefits have an estimated present value of NGN 1.1 billion, which represents the difference between the current earnings of labor and wages paid by the project.

The project is considered as a landmark PPP and is in line with the master plan for Lagos State. It is also consistent with the national development strategy for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with emphasis on strengthening the transportation infrastructure in order to meet the needs of its growing population and encouraging private sector-led investments in the transport sector.

The total project cost is approximately US$ 382 million, about NGN 44.91 billion The AfDB loan represents 35% of the total senior debt. Other international lenders to the project include Standard Bank London. The Bank also played a key role in ensuring international best practice environmental impact assessment and ensuring adequate mitigation measures to be put in place during construction.
(* 1 US$ = NGN 191.570 as at 18/06/2008)

Here's a 2008 report on the project by O. Chima Okereke which I found at http://www.pmforum.org/blogs/news/2008/07/nigerian-toll-road-project-receives.html
------------------------------------------------------------


Friday, July 04, 2008
Nigerian Toll Road Project receives AfDB funding
Reported by O. Chima Okereke in Port Harcourt

The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has approved a loan of up to US$ 85 million to help finance the upgrade/rehabilitation of the Lekki to Epe expressway, linking Victoria Island with the Lekki peninsula in Lagos, Nigeria's economic capital.

The project consists of upgrading, widening and tolling of the existing 49.5km long Lekki–Epe Expressway, which is the principal road artery linking Victoria Island in Lagos with the Lekki peninsula. The objective is to alleviate traffic congestion and improve road safety along the Lekki corridor. It is based on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) under the Design, Build, Operate (DBOT), and Transfer and Rehabilitate, Operate (ROT) framework/business model.

The first phase of the project will involve the rehabilitation of the existing 49.5km long expressway, the construction of a new ramp to carry traffic onto the Falomo bridge, construction of new interchanges, footbridges, walkways and bus stops along the expressway, construction of 6 kilometers of the new 20-km long coastal road (which will serve as an alternative road up to toll plaza 1), and build 10 interconnecting link roads between the Expressway and the coastal road respectively. Three toll plazas along the Expressway will also be constructed.

Phase two will consist of building the remaining 14 km of the coastal road, and will be contingent on the Lagos State Government‘s completion of civil works on the new coastal defenses (to check erosion).

The project sponsors, Asset and Resource Management Ltd, a reputable local firm, is partnering with Larue Projects Ltd. (Larue) as joint sponsors and, together, they play the role of "key investor" to the project.

As part of its due diligence, the Bank developed a detailed in-house financial model to quantify the economic benefits to the various stakeholders. The model results showed that the main beneficiaries of the project are the Nigerian road users who will enjoy a net consumer surplus of NGN 41.7 billion* in present value terms. Furthermore the Lekki toll road project will considerably alleviate the highly congested traffic situation in Lagos especially during rush hours. On completion, the toll road is expected to reduce travel times while improving road safety and security, lower vehicle operating costs for road users, create jobs, and provide much needed and well-maintained transportation infrastructure which will lead to an increase in business activities along the corridor.

The project is expected to create 635 short-term and 1,146 long-term jobs with a good proportion of the employees being women. Labor benefits have an estimated present value of NGN 1.1 billion, which represents the difference between the current earnings of labor and wages paid by the project.

The project is considered as a landmark PPP and is in line with the master plan for Lagos State. It is also consistent with the national development strategy for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with emphasis on strengthening the transportation infrastructure in order to meet the needs of its growing population and encouraging private sector-led investments in the transport sector.

The total project cost is approximately US$ 382 million, about NGN 44.91 billion The AfDB loan represents 35% of the total senior debt. Other international lenders to the project include Standard Bank London. The Bank also played a key role in ensuring international best practice environmental impact assessment and ensuring adequate mitigation measures to be put in place during construction.
(* 1 US$ = NGN 191.570 as at 18/06/2008)

Research I carried out very early in the project suggested that the coastal road was the one originally supposed to be tolled.

I think somewhere along the line the idea was dropped probably because it would be cheaper and faster to add a lane to each side of the existing road making the investment more attractive.

I will look for the details.

I thought of that too.

I hope we are wrong!

The coastal road should run horizontally to the right from point 4 towards 3

The notice

Good news!

I just saw a full-page public notice in today's Punch Newspaper (page 80) in which the LASG is notifying the general public of the Right of Way (ROW) of the proposed Coastal Road alignment from Ahmadu Bello Way (V/Island) to Lafiaji  Area (this is just after Alpha Beach).

Why I call this good news is that it means the LASG is actually serious about the construction of the coastal road which should serve as an alternative to the Lekki Toll road.   


The question now is when will the actual construction begin and what impact will the coastal erosion along the shore pose to the road if the LASG is unable to secure the asssitance of the FG as canvassed by BRF in my last post?

This may also be bad news for speculators who may have ignorantly purchased plots on the ROW!

You are welcome

Land reclamation: Fashola wants FG`s help

The Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola has appealed to the Federal Government to assist the Lagos State Government in its efforts to reclaim land overtaken by sea erosion. Mr. Fashola made the appeal when he visited communities in Lekki/Ajah in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of the state to ascertain the impact of recent heavy downpour in the area. He said that the Federal Government`s assistance was needed because the ocean encroachment contributed to flooding problems in the state which might have national impact.

Significant portion of land at the Alpha Beach-- where the governor also visited-- had been eroded by the Atlantic Ocean. ``The erosion at the Alpha beach, I am told, is a consequence of the rising water level due to global warming .What we need to do is to reclaim the land. We have lost about 50 metres of land and it still continues. The land is beginning to cave in. That is not because of the rains; it is a natural disaster and it has been on for some time. The situation has a national impact because the ocean is clearly redrawing the geographical map of Nigeria. In that sense, we need the Federal Government to assist us.” He said. Mr. Fashola said the FG could assist by building a minimum three-km shoreline protection on the affected area, as it did at the Bar Beach years ago, to keep the encroaching ocean under control.

“The measure will help to put a check on the perennial flooding in the state, especially in communities close to the ocean, and preserve the geographical definition of the country. We have sent the details of how the Federal Government can help the state to Mr President. We expect to get a support,” he said. The governor said the state government had embarked on the construction of drainage system, including 10 major storm water channels in Eti-Osa.

He said the effort was to drain water from the Atlantic Ocean into the lagoon across the expressway. Mr. Fashola enjoined residents in flood-prone communities, such as NICON Estate in Ajah, to assist the government drain their communities by giving part of their land for the building of the storm water channels. The governor said health officials had been mobilized to distribute disinfectants and other supplies to residents of these communities to keep them safe from contacting diseases. Communities visited by the governor included Maiyegun, Igbokuso, Ilasan, Silverbird road, Igbo Efon, NICON and Chevron Estates.

The governor also inspected drainage channels such as the Agungi channel, Osapa London community drainage system and the suspended alignment at Maiyegun Beach-- meant to drain Igbo-Efon community

http://www.castlesweekly.com/ShowArticle.aspx?ID=1632

Thanks for the update

.