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Fashola Receives Report Of Committee On Lekki-Epe Expansion Project
• Project now to be called Eti-Osa-Lekki–Epe Expressway

Dec 13, 2010 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Monday received the report of the Lekki-Epe Expressway Expansion Project Committee, expressing joy that the issues that precipitated agitations among the host communities have been amicably resolved.

The Lekki-Epe Expressway Expansion Project Committee, under the chairmanship of Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi, was set up on August 23, 2010 following issues raised by the host communities over the modalities being adopted by the concessionaires to toll the road.

In his remarks after receiving the report at the Lagos House, Alausa, Governor Fashola declared, "I think we have come to a very important milestone this afternoon; a milestone where a democratically elected Government engages with its people that have issues and demonstrates its capacity to negotiate and resolve conflicts by allowing people participation and I think it is a milestone that must be celebrated and promoted as truly reflective of the essence of democracy as Government of the people by the people and with the people".

Commending leaders of the host communities "for choosing to start on the table rather than ending there", Governor Fashola asserted, "When the agitation started, it was clear in my mind that it would be resolved by better communication, by mutual respect and by negotiation", adding that it has made the process quicker, more amicable and mutually acceptable.

"I think, in many ways, our concessionaires will be comforted by the fact that we demonstrate a clear commitment to perform our obligations under the agreement and I think this is important; that the agreement is intact, that the communities have signed on and they have respected and accepted the concept of culture change that this project brings", the Governor said.

Expressing the commitment of his administration to rapidly implement the recommendations of the Committee, Governor Fashola noted, however, that some of the recommendations are already being implemented disclosing that he personally intervened in the litigation that has been delaying progress on a health facility for the area and an agreement has been reached to settle out of court and for the contractors to move back to site.

"A few other projects like schools, are either at the State's Tenders Board or have been awarded and the contractor moved to site for the benefit of the Community", the Governor said adding that one of the recommendations which, according to him, is that Eti-Osa should be added to the name of the project, has already been implemented making the project to be henceforth known as Eti-Osa – Lekki – Epe Expressway

"It captures the need to promote even development and we are already talking with the concessionaires to dedicate the critical Toll Plaza in favour of the community so that it continues to promote the names of the local communities that host the milestone infrastructures of the project", Governor Fashola said adding that the concessionaires have expressed readiness to have a re-look at the relocation of Toll Plaza 3.

Thanking the members of the Committee for sparing their time and efforts to serve in the Committee to produce the report, Governor Fashola declared, "You can be assured of our faithful commitment to implement the recommendations", adding that the Chairman has been given approval to convene a meeting of the Committee anytime to resolve any issue arising from the tolls which according to him will soon commence.

Earlier in his remarks, the Committee Chairman, Director-General of the Public Private Partnership Office of the State Government, Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi, outlined the methodologies used by the committee to arrive at its 12-point recommendations which include those on Tolling, Toll Plaza, Alternative access and slip roads, advertisements, fencing coastal road alignment, land compensation matters and enlightenment strategies, among others.

Present at the event were other members of the Committee, Stakeholders and members of the State Executive Council.

Blatter sparks Qatar gay furore
Fifa president Sepp Blatter says gay fans going to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal, should "refrain from sexual activity".

When asked if he foresaw any cultural problems, Blatter, apparently joking, said: "I'd say they [gay fans] should refrain from any sexual activities."

Then, speaking seriously, he said he was sure there would be no problems.

Gay rights groups, already unhappy at the choice of tournament venue, say he should apologise or resign.

Former basketball star John Amaechi is one of the world's most high-profile gay athletes, having

He was highly critical of Blatter's comments, telling BBC Radio 5 live: "It's absurd.

"It's not about people having sex in public and being sanctioned for it, it's the fact that Qatar was one of 79 countries to sanction executing gays at the United Nations [where a vote in November removed sexual orientation from a UN resolution condemning extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions].

"One of the first things you notice is that it would actually be an insult to year seven students to say that their reactions, the giggling of grown men, sports reporters and members of Fifa, on this issue, when asked a perfectly simple and reasonable question given the worries about Qatar, that the whole room burst into laughter.

"It is the most childish response I could imagine.

"This does make it harder for footballers that are gay but let's not limit this.

"You have to understand that this story is big enough, his influence is big enough, to impact young people in school, people in workplaces, anybody who is perceived to be gay or is gay, hears these comments and once again realises that the seat of power, straight white men normally, are very, very clearly uncomfortable with this issue and certainly not interested in taking it seriously."

BBC sports news correspondent James Pearce says Fifa will make no further comment following Blatter's remarks on attitudes to homosexuality in Qatar.

"Fifa says Blatter gave all the clarification required in his press conference," said Pearce.

Qatar was the surprise winner of the race to host the 2022 World Cup, beating Australia, Japan, South Korea and the United States when the 22-man Fifa executive committee

in Zurich on 2 December.
Fifa has since come in for criticism after the decision to take the World Cup to the Middle East for the first time.

Concerns were raised about hosting the tournament during the summer months in a country where

while current laws mean drinking alcohol in public is forbidden.
Gay groups are also worried about the acceptance of homosexual fans, and the

say Blatter's comments show naivety about anti-gay discrimination and he should either apologise or resign from his post.
"Many LGBT [lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and trans-gender] people live in countries where they would face execution or imprisonment if discovered, these people deserve our help, our respect and our support," said GFSN chair Chris Basiurski.

"They, like the rest of us, do not deserve to be laughed at. Mr Blatter should retract his remarks and apologise immediately. Otherwise, he should reconsider his position and resign.

"Mr Blatter is naive to think that by taking the beautiful game to Qatar, it will bring an end to discrimination in the Middle East.

"He says that football is 'everything for everyone' but he has not yet explained just how Fifa is going to ensure that LGBT football players and supporters will be welcome in Qatar."

But Blatter does not foresee any difficulties, saying: "You see in the Middle East the opening of this culture, it's another culture because it's another religion, but in football we have no boundaries.

"We open everything to everybody and I think there shall not be any discrimination against any human beings be it on this side or that side, be it left, right or whatever.

"If they want to watch a match somewhere in Qatar 2022, I'm sure they will be admitted to such matches."

Blatter says even if there are problems, there is still plenty of time to sort out any issues.

"I think there is too much concern for a competition that will be done only in 12 years," he added.

"But this gives me the opportunity to say that in Fifa, and this is in the statutes of Fifa, whether it is in politics, whether it is in religion, we don't want racism, and we know what this means, and neither do we want discrimination.

"What we want is just to open this game to everybody and open it to all cultures and this is what we are doing in 2022."

But Amaechi did not see the funny side of Blatter's "refrain from any sexual activities" comments, telling his

"The statements and the position adopted by Sepp Blatter and Fifa regarding LGBT fans who would pay the enormous ticket and travel prices to attend the World Cup in 2022 should have been wholly unacceptable a decade ago.
"Instead, with little more than an afterthought Fifa has endorsed the marginalisation of LGBT people around the world.

"Anything less than a full reversal of his position is unacceptable and if the FA and football and sporting associations around the world fail to acknowledge this insult, they too will be complicit.

"If sport cannot serve to change society, even temporarily during the duration of an event like the World Cup that invites the world to participate, then it is little more than grown men chasing a ball and we should treat it as such."

Blatter, who was visiting South Africa - the hosts of the 2010 tournament, insisted money had no part in taking the competition to new parts of the world.

Russia won the right to host the 2018 competition.

"This is development of football and don't speak about money," said Blatter.

"This has nothing to do with money as it had nothing to [do with it] with Africa.

"It is the development of the game. We have to take to places where it can improve and have a social and cultural impact. And it's what we did here in Africa."

Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport2/hi/football/9284186.stm

Published: 2010/12/14 16:30:03 GMT


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Amaechi

Lekki Business District project gets credit facility

December 14, 2010 03:17AM


The ongoing “La Plage” Lekki Business District project in Lagos State has received a N5.5 billion credit facility from Unity Bank Plc. The project developers, Uren Stirling Civil Engineering Ltd, disclosed this in Lagos on Monday.

Briefing the press at the project site, the company’s head of marketing services, Temitope Opeaye, said that the bank was the major financier of the project with a total cost of N10 billion. She said that other financiers of the project were Standard Chartered Bank, GTHomes and FBN Mortgages. Mrs. Opeaye said that with the new credit facility, construction work at the site would be completed within 20 months. She said that the project, located within the Lekki Maiyegun tourism zone of Lagos, would comprise 4,007 shops and 320 offices. The marketing executive said that individuals, cooperatives and businesses were welcome to be shop owners in the new business district. She said that mortgages were available for qualified purchasers through Standard Chartered Bank, GTHomes and FBN Morgages. Mrs. Opeaye disclosed that 10 hectares of land had been acquired by the company for the project which, according to her, is also being supported by the Lagos Waterfront Development Authority. She said that the company would provide a multi-storey car park, a loading bay, refuse and waste treatment plant, entertainment lounge, restaurant, a games arcade and high-tech security system in the district. The district would have 24-hour electricity supply from the company’s proposed 32 million-dollar independent gas power plant which would generate 20 megawatts of electricity.

Mrs. Opeaye said that the power project would be financed by the company’s overseas partners. She described the response of prospective buyers of the project as “amazing”, adding that the project would totally change the landscape of the Lekki coastal zone. The marketing executive said the company planned to build a five-star hotel, a residential estate and recreation park with the district under the second phase. Opeaye said that the project was in line with the Lagos State government’s drive to develop world-class infrastructure along the Lekki corridor to promote greater economic activities among its citizenry. She said that the business district would help to reduce the enormous traffic problems on the Lekki road as residents in the area would be able to do their businesses without necessarily going to Lagos and Victoria Islands. Mrs. Opeaye further said that Uren Stirling Construction company had more than 40 years experience in construction and property development in Nigeria.

“We are a tested and trusted property developer with adequate capacity to deliver on promise, and we are ready and empowered to transform the face of the Lekki axis,” she said.


http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/Metro/5653349-147/story.csp

alj harem:
yorubas think they are clever

they are the only group that has a state in 4 zones in nigeria to keep control of things

1 kwara northern state

2 kogi midle belt

3. a of edo because of cultural ties,,,,mid-west

4. ondo and rivers state because of itsekiri,,,,,,south state


when will u yorubas be trusted

when will u stop this impersonation

i tell u u can take your kwara and kogi and stop disuniting the north

I DEY LAFF O!

Reference:
No doubt most parts of Lekki have no long term future. In Eko Atlantic have these challenges been addressed. This is pertinent because heavy engineering is very, very difficult and improbably expensive to rectify once established.

I know some will say - fourth mainland bridge but consider that the[b] Lekki corridor is growing[/b], this may offer only temporary reprieve when completed.

How can you say that most parts of Lekki have no long term future and in the same breath say that Lekki will provide some relief?

Shouldn't you be advocating that further development of Lekki should be stopped if the future is so grim?

Kindly expatiate.

Jarus:
The common statements '19 Northern states' and '17 Southern states' mean North and South still exist.

I don't think that proves that North and South still exist.

I agree that there's common reference to '19 northern states' but '17 southern states'? That's very rare.

While there is a Northern Governors Forum, there's no such forum for the 'southerners' instead you have the South-east governors forum (for one of the 6 GPZs)(http://allafrica.com/stories/201002020747.html). in the south west, Oodua used to be a platform for the SW governors but with the political fragmentation of the zone along party lines (i.e PDP-AD/AC[N]/LP) this has disintegrated.

The idea of a unified north is being tested with this PDP northern consensus candidate debacle. I hope that the result will be a jettisioning of the idea of a politically unified north (usually masqueraded with the allusion to the 19 nothern states) which has always been a mirage given that even in the first republic we had parties like the United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC), Bornu Youth Movement (BYM), Igala Union, Igbira Tribal Union , Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) in addition to the Northern People's Congress (NPC).

I am not canvassing a return to these tribal parties. What I would like to see are parties with ideologies.

I also agree with excanny on the issue of boundary re-alignment. Much harm has been done to minority people in some of the states where they have their kins in the majority in adjoining states. A re-hash of the 1884 Berlin Conference demarcation of Africa?



@ PUkkah, let's do away with the idea of geographical northerner/southerner altogether!

DapoBear:
Why would this happen? The waves will crash on EA's barrier as usual, but rather than carrying away sand and dirt, they'll carry away nothing. Why would this result in more surges elsewhere?

I'm not some sort of ocean scientist, but it doesn't make sense to me why this would happen. You build a barrier in one place for the ocean to crash on, and it causes more activity elsewhere? Seems kind of weird, no?

A chain is as strong as its weakest link. Strengthening some parts of the chain (fortifying EA) will only put more strain on the other parts of the chain (other parts of the shoreline). When the surge comes to EA and meets strong resistance, is bound to ripple down to the weaker portions of the shoreline putting even greater strain on these parts than before.

Funny, I learnt this from playing with sand and water as a kid

The point is that in Nigeria today, what is constitutionally (politically) recognised are states of the federation - 36 states not 4 regions (counting the mid-west) or 2 protectorates.

To say that one is a southerner or northerner should be a misnomer in Nigeria of 2010.

Why haven't you said that you are a north-centralist (of the six geo-political zones) in your definition of your person?

Jarus:
I am from Kwara, a Yoruba, and officially a Northerner, because that is what my state has been classified as since 1914.

@DapoBear

DapoBear:
Ultimately, this is sort of a hearts and minds thing, not a political classification thing. I grew up in Maryland in the US. At one point it was considered a Southern state. Nowadays, it is not, mostly because the inhabitants of the state view themselves as having more in common with the idealogical North (Democratic Party, liberalism, etc) of the country rather than the South (Republican Party, conservatism, Evangelical Christianity, etc).

I am happy you made the distinction of IDEOLOGICAL North/South in the US as opposed to geographical north/south. That (ideology) is the way to go for us not geography or history

Jarus:
Kwarans are 100% Northerners, stop exposing your ignorance.
Perhaps you need a lecture on difference between region and ethnicity. Region: North, South, East, West Ethnicity: Yoruba, Hausa, Ibo etc
What is today Kwara has always been classified as North since 1914. During the provincial era pre-independence, Ilorin province(now Kwara and Kogi) was undr Northern region. During the regional system, Kwara was part of Northern region. Till today, Kwara is still North. Or can you count the 19 Northern states for me?

You are obviously mistaking Hausa/Fulani with North. Whether a place is North or South is not a natural classification like ethnicity. A mistake, so to speak, was made in 1914 and Ilorin province was classified as North, and till today, it still is. Taking it to South will involve official proclamation and boundary adjustment.

Being a northerner doesn't mean you're Hausa/Fulani. You can be a Yoruba and a Northerner in as much as you come from a state classified as North. Kwara and Kogi are such. Late Chief Sunday Awoniyi, a Yoruba man from Kogi, was a dyed-in-the-wood Sardauna loyalist and later Chairman of Arewa Consultative forum. Can a non-Arewa person be the Chairman of Arewa Forum if he is not from Arewa?

I am from Kwara, a Yoruba, and officially a Northerner, because that is what my state has been classified as since 1914.
Kajiko?

Brilliant analysis Jarus.

But I think I'll go with DapoBear on this one. I think it is time we did away with this noth-south nonsense. We had even gone beyond it to the six geo-political zones structure since the days of Abacha. Why do we want to cling to the colonial relic of north-south dichotomy?

I find it interesting that one is still defined in modern Nigeria by his history (e.g. Saraki is an Egba man historically), geography (notherther/ southerner) and tribe (permit my use of the term-Hausa-Fulani/Igbo/Ijaw/Edo/Anang/Ibibio/Yoruba,etc)!

DapoBear:
I wondered about the impact of this project on the shoreline. Looks like it will actually help protect Victoria Island from climate change; they are building a seawall and have used computer simulations to estimate its effectiveness. Following video is pretty long (6 min), but pretty good:

I have also wondered what the environmental impact of this project would be on settlements further down the coastline specifically along the Lekki corridor.

With the proposed embankment, Victoria Island should be protected from sea surge and other similar threats but won't this result in more frequent and more significant impact of surges to the lekki peninsular.  If due care is not taken, the peninsular could be reduced to a string of islets or atolls.

I know the state govenment has talked about commissioning a study of the shoreline (from Badagry to Epe) [https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-367311.352.html#msg6516424] which I think is commendable but I am eager to know the result of the study and the consequent  action plan to protect the shoreline.

We’ll repair Lagos-Ibadan Expressway before Christmas – Babalakin

By Rasheed Bisiriyu

Friday, 3 Dec 2010

THE Chairman, Bi-Courtney Highway Services Limited, Dr. Wale Babalakin, on Thursday, said the company had commenced remedial work on the deteriorating sections of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway ahead of the Christmas festivities.

The Federal Government handed over the 105-kilometre road to the company on May 26, 2009, on a concession agreement to renovate, expand, modernise and maintain it for a period of 25 years.

Babalakin, who spoke at a press conference on the state of the project at the old toll gate, Lagos, said that proper rehabilitation and reconstruction work would commence in January next year.

Even as he said that the final design of the project had been submitted to the Federal Ministry of Works for ratification, he stressed that the remedial work would make the road passable for those travelling home for the yuletide.

He said, ”Between now and the end of the year, we intend to make the road passable by ensuring that there are no craters and potholes on the road that can hinder movement. By the time we move into next year, we would have commenced more extensive work.”

Although Babalakin did not disclose the funding arrangement for the project, he said that the company would deliver a first class road that would be the pride of the nation.

”Let me assure Nigerians that the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway will be constructed as the most attractive, users-friendly and environmental-friendly designed road, not only in Nigeria, but also in Africa,” he said.

He also explained that the delay in the commencement of major works on the road was to perfect the design and ensure that the final output was of international standard.

The final design, according to him, has incorporated the scope of work, Environmental Impact Assessment report, engineering design, bill of engineering measurement and evaluation.

Babalakin also said that both the remedial and major reconstruction works would be executed with minimal disruption to the movement of vehicles on the road.

Already, he said a new route was being created at Kilometre 32, where traffic would be diverted at the peak of work for ease of movement.

Road signs and sign posts have also been erected to warn motorists and other road users at the approach of major construction site and dangerous spots

Source: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20101203317279

Press Release

Lagos Rail Project: "We Have Moved From Dream To Reality", Says Fashola

Nov 28, 2010 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Sunday expressed joy at the pace of work at the Blue Line of the State's Light Rail Project to run from Okokomaiko to Marina saying the project has moved from being a vision to a dream and finally to reality.

Fielding questions from journalists after a working tour of the project site at Iganmu in the Apapa Local Government Area of the State, Governor Fashola said with the concrete piers already going up at Iganmu and other infrastructure being put in place by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), the company handling the project, there is every hope that the conclusion would be reached quickly.

The vision for the Lagos State Light Rail project was originally conceived by the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu which had planned to build the Red Line Project to run from Agbado in Alimosho Local Government Area to Iddo in Ebute Metta and to ultimately terminate in Marina.

Governor Fashola, who was earlier conducted round the Iganmu Work Yard of the CCECC which will ultimately transform into the National Arts Theatre Station of the Light Rail, by the Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, said the concrete pillars being set up at Iganmu would hold the rail bed that will link the rail line to Iddo on its way to Okokomaiko adding that with the completion of the first seven kilometres of the rail line, five stations would also have been completed adding that according to the terms of the contract, the concessionaires would be supplying the coaches for full operation.

The Governor declared, "We have moved from vision to dreams and to reality. The project has taken off; the baby has been born, it is left for us to nurture it to adulthood", Governor Fashola said adding that by 2012, the first seven kilometres of rail would be ready for operation.

"There is still work to do but the important thing is that without fanfare, without celebration, the project has taken off", Governor Fashola said adding that it is going to be the most significant project in the State.

According to the Governor, at least 2, 000 Nigerians have already been employed and by next year another 1, 000 will also be employed adding that by the time the project is in full gear, no less than 8,000 people would be employed by the company handling the project.

"This is going to be the most impactful project this State has ever had. You can only imagine the number of people that will be employed, both directly and indirectly, when the project is finished. It will reduce travel time and all the stress associated with traffic will be removed. Lagosians will travel in comfort", the Governor said.

Governor Fashola noted that the Blue Line now under construction would form the corridor for the remaining six rail lines going to Agege, Alimosho, Ikorodu and other parts of the State adding, "This is the most important of the seven rail lines that we plan to construct".

On the supply of electricity which is essential for the efficient operation of the rail system, Governor Fashola declared, "This project has been designed to supply its own electricity. We spent two and half years planning this project. We sought and found the best team, those who have done it successfully in other places of the world. Life is about planning and efficient management. We planned for the worst and we are hoping for the best".

Earlier, while conducting Governor Fashola round the project, the Deputy Managing Director of CCECC and Project Manager, Mr. Shi Hongbing, said the pre-castings for the rail bridge have reached 70 percent completion assuring that before 2012 the company would complete the rail from Mile 2 to the National Theatre".

Also present at the CCECC project site were the Chinese Consul General in Lagos, Mr. Guo Kun, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Lanre Babalola, the Director General Public Private Partnership (PPP) Office, Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engineer Ganiyu Johnson, the Managing Director of LAMATA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola who led a team of other senior LAMATA officials, officials of CCECC and other top Government functionaries.

Governor Fashola later visited Adeniran Ogunsanya Street in Surulere where he inspected the progress of work on the road which is at present undergoing reconstruction.



Source: http://www.tundefashola.com/archives/news/2010/11/28/20101128N01.html


Video of the visit (PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE INTERVIEW WIH THE GOVERNOR AT THE END OF THE VISIT): http://www.tundefashola.com/archives/videos/2010/11/28/20101128V01.wmv

Lagos light rail will be operational by 2012 – Fashola
By Mudiaga Affe
Tuesday, 30 Nov 2010

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, on Sunday said the first seven- kilometres Blue Line light rail project running from Okokomaiko to Marina would be ready for use in 2012.

Fashola stated this in Lagos after a working tour of the project site at Iganmu in Apapa Local Government Area of the state. The governor said the project had moved from being a vision to a dream and finally a reality.

Fashola said with the concrete piers already going up at Iganmu and other infrastructure being put in place by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, the company handling the project, there was hope that the conclusion would be reached quickly.

He said that by 2012, the first seven kilometres of rail would be ready for operation.

Fashola said the concrete pillars being set up at Iganmu would hold the rail bed that would link the rail line to Iddo on its way to Okokomaiko, adding that with the completion of the first seven kilometres of the rail line, five stations would also have been completed.

According to the governor, at least 2, 000 Nigerians have already been employed and by next year another 1, 000 will also be employed.

Fashola said by the time the project commences fully, no fewer than 8,000 people would be employed by the company handling the project.

“This is going to be the best project this State has ever had. You can only imagine the number of people that will be employed, both directly and indirectly, when the project is finished. It will reduce travel time and all the stress associated with traffic will be removed. Lagosians will travel in comfort,” he said.

Fashola noted that the Blue Line now under construction would form the corridor for the remaining six rail lines going to Agege, Alimosho, Ikorodu and other parts of the state, adding, “This is the most important of the seven rail lines that we plan to construct.”

While conducting Fashola round the project earlier, the Deputy Managing Director of CCECC and Project Manager, Mr. Shi Hongbing, said the pre-castings for the rail bridge had reached 70 per cent completion.

He gave the assurance that before 2012, the company would complete the rail from Mile 2 to the National Theatre.


Source:http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201011300103768

Lagos light rail will be operational by 2012 – Fashola
By Mudiaga Affe
Tuesday, 30 Nov 2010



The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, on Sunday said the first seven- kilometres Blue Line light rail project running from Okokomaiko to Marina would be ready for use in 2012.



Fashola stated this in Lagos after a working tour of the project site at Iganmu in Apapa Local Government Area of the state. The governor said the project had moved from being a vision to a dream and finally a reality.



Fashola said with the concrete piers already going up at Iganmu and other infrastructure being put in place by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, the company handling the project, there was hope that the conclusion would be reached quickly.



He said that by 2012, the first seven kilometres of rail would be ready for operation.



Fashola said the concrete pillars being set up at Iganmu would hold the rail bed that would link the rail line to Iddo on its way to Okokomaiko, adding that with the completion of the first seven kilometres of the rail line, five stations would also have been completed.



According to the governor, at least 2, 000 Nigerians have already been employed and by next year another 1, 000 will also be employed.



Fashola said by the time the project commences fully, no fewer than 8,000 people would be employed by the company handling the project.



“This is going to be the best project this State has ever had. You can only imagine the number of people that will be employed, both directly and indirectly, when the project is finished. It will reduce travel time and all the stress associated with traffic will be removed. Lagosians will travel in comfort,” he said.



Fashola noted that the Blue Line now under construction would form the corridor for the remaining six rail lines going to Agege, Alimosho, Ikorodu and other parts of the state, adding, “This is the most important of the seven rail lines that we plan to construct.”



While conducting Fashola round the project earlier, the Deputy Managing Director of CCECC and Project Manager, Mr. Shi Hongbing, said the pre-castings for the rail bridge had reached 70 per cent completion.



He gave the assurance that before 2012, the company would complete the rail from Mile 2 to the National Theatre.







Source:http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201011300103768

Thanks Mariory/paddylo

Quite some progress has been made on the strectch between 2nd round about and Chevron. The road has been widened from 2nd round about to just before the third roudn about if you are coming from V/I.

There a few spots where underground drainages are however been constructed which sometimes cause some snarl in traffic. Specifically, these are the SPAR junction (near NICON Estate) and the Ilasan/Jakande Estate junctions.

Work is going on on the third round about though it has slowed down in the past two weeks or so.

Expansion of the stretch between the third round about and Chevron has also gone quite far (especially the extra lane heading towards Epe).

Work on the second plaza is also going on steadily.

pic 1: Workers at the junction of Alpha Beach road, just before Chevron roundabout.

pic 2-4: At the junction, just opposite Eti-Osa Local Government office/ Ojomu Royal Market. The red tanker was watering the extra lane which by the way us curiously elevated probably to aid drainage and deaden speed of cars.

View from the top of the bridge.

Pic 1: Most of the cars are actually coming up this bridge but have to turn into Adeyemo Alakija before climbing the bridge. With the ramp in place, that would be eliminated thereby reducing the traffic at this junction.

pic 4: On the left is the lagoon. In the background are 1004 and Law School.

Work has resumed on the construction of the ramp that would connect traffic from Ozumba  Mbadiwe to Falomo Bridge bypassing Adeyemo Alakija and thereby easing the perennial traffic around the 1004/Law School/ Falomo Bridge area of Ozumba.

Pic 1: Approaching the ramp from Law School. On the right is Caverton Heliport.
Pic 2-3: At the traffic light. The ramp will link the road below to the bridge.

^^^

Thanks for the compliments.

I would like to make some clarifications though. The essence of my posts is not to scare people away from the Lekki axis neither is it to gloat.

With all due respect, I think asking people to stay at least 50km away from the shoreline is stretching things too far. The average width of the peninsula is about 10Km  so it is not possible to live more than 10 km from the Ocean but if you do, it means you would be living next to the Lagoon!

"The Lekki Sub-Region comprises a naturally formed peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean East of Lagos City and on Lagos Lagoon. The peninsula is approximately 70 to 80 km long, stretching from Victoria Island in the west to Refuge Island in the east, with an average width of 10 km." (http://www.lagosstate.gov.ng/index.php?page=subpage&spid=24&mnu=null)

The NCF statement clearly indicates that the surges are ocassional and that the magnitude and impacts have always been minimal:

johnie:
Residents are used to occasional sea surges, but the magnitude of such and its impacts have always been minimal.

This confirms that contrary to the widely held (though wrong) view, Lekki is not regularly under water when it rains. Any incidents of flooding in the area is not different from what you would find in any other part of Lagos.


With all due respect to those who lost lives and property in the recent flooding experienced along the banks of Ogun River, Lekki has not experienced such widespread destruction.

The surge I reported at Alpha beach is ocassional and was not as bad as you seem to have understood it. I know that some people must have lost their properties to the surge but these were those living right on the beachfront. You would notice from the pictures of the beach that the sheds and other structure are intact and not affected by the surge. I must stress that it is some part of the portion where you have the sand rampart (in the pictures) that the water acually spills. I find this very strange but interesting. What I mean is that the sheds are left untouched by the sea but that same portion of the beach which is a few metres away is always washed. This portion itself is less than 300 metres in length.

I don't think that the  intention of NCF and I who regularly draw the attention of the authorities to activities at the waterfront is to create panic, rather it is intended to draw the attention of the authorities to their responsibilities.

Is your client's property right at the beachfront? if not, I do not think that there is that much cause for concern.

I support the ban. Italian Americans, Irish Americans, even native americans do not consider themselves as tribes.

The use of other words are prohibited, why not prohibit the use of this one if it would raise the standard of the forum.

Thank God we do not have to indicate our tribes when completing forms. I am convinced it was the case when the British were here.

About time too.

Normal social and economic activities resumed fully within two weeks of the incident.

I am still waiting to hear from those "Nigerians" who cry foul each time Nigeria does well in a tournament.

What are you going to accuse us of this time? Sex cheating?

After the U20  World Women's championship, we were regaled with all sort of stories and analysis about the players and their ages.

Seems the Falcons have silenced the critics this time.

Oh sorry, the controversy this time is that the bulk of the players are Igbos!

NLanders can argue!

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-487880.320.html#msg6494573

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-487880.352.html#msg6497714

Thanks!

The other direction. Heading from Okun Ajah.

The heaps of sand serve as a rampart against the regular waves of the Ocean but canot be effective when a major surge occurs.

Residents should be educated not to carry the sand from the shore as I have seen some of them do atimes. You also see them climbing the heaps which will eventually create gaps in the wall and later level the heap.

Regular monitoring and a more permanent solution is however desirable.

johnie:
Residents are used to occasional sea surges, but the magnitude of such and its impacts have always been minimal. The erosion of the coastline in Alfa Beach continues unabated and is currently being aggravated by the abandonment of ocean vessels (a ship and cargo barge) at the Lekki Beach end of the coastline. This Beach has suffered severe erosion and loss of hundreds of coconut trees. This is a serious deforestation process.

[b]It is regrettable that practical steps are yet to be taken to address the ecological challenges being faced by people(s) living on the Nigerian coastline, in spite of our regular advocacy on climate change and its attendant effects on human populations and ecosystems. In the recent past, we have called on relevant authorities to work together and take a thorough look at the varied coastal environmental challenges in a more integrated manner. We have also highlighted the need for immediate action on the growing incidence of ship wrecks in our coastal waters.

We call on the authorities concerned to take immediate action and develop management plans (including a contingency plans) for the coastline of Nigeria.

Thankfully this particular surge, as far as we know, recorded no casualties, but with the rapid rate of the erosion caused by these shipwrecks, what is still just a serious hazard, could easily transform into a major disaster, with an attendant huge economic and social loss. NCF is asking that the relevant authorities remove these and other shipwrecks littering our coast without any further delay, as they take the issue of coastal management more seriously in the face of rising global temperatures and the attendant sea level rise in future. [/b]

These are pictures of Alpha Beach taken last Saturday. These were taken when heading towards Okun Ajah from the beach.

The heaps of sand on the right side of the road had been washed onto the road by the surge.

Ocean surge: NCF again calls for improved coastal zone management.

Incidental flooding of the Lekki Beach-Okun Aja access road

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has again called for improved coastal zone management as ocean surge threatens the Alfa Beach.

The Atlantic Ocean overflowed its normal limits along the Alfa Beach coastline in Eti Osa Local Government of Lagos State in the early morning of 25th October 2010. Panicking Residents woke up at about 3.00 am to move their properties from the shops and buildings along the beach. The ocean surge caused incidental flooding of the Lekki Beach-Okun Aja access road and its environs for about two hours and salty flood water gained access to adjacent buildings within Alfa Beach community and the neighboring Estates near Igbo Efon.

Residents are used to occasional sea surges, but the magnitude of such and its impacts have always been minimal. The erosion of the coastline in Alfa Beach continues unabated and is currently being aggravated by the abandonment of ocean vessels (a ship and cargo barge) at the Lekki Beach end of the coastline. This Beach has suffered severe erosion and loss of hundreds of coconut trees. This is a serious deforestation process.

It is regrettable that practical steps are yet to be taken to address the ecological challenges being faced by people(s) living on the Nigerian coastline, in spite of our regular advocacy on climate change and its attendant effects on human populations and ecosystems. In the recent past, we have called on relevant authorities to work together and take a thorough look at the varied coastal environmental challenges in a more integrated manner. We have also highlighted the need for immediate action on the growing incidence of ship wrecks in our coastal waters.

It is pertinent to note here that a couple of years ago we advocated against the blanket construction of dams around the country. We do not need to overemphasize the problems associated with those dams today.

We call on the authorities concerned to take immediate action and develop management plans (including a contingency plans) for the coastline of Nigeria.

Thankfully this particular surge, as far as we know, recorded no casualties, but with the rapid rate of the erosion caused by these shipwrecks, what is still just a serious hazard, could easily transform into a major disaster, with an attendant huge economic and social loss. NCF is asking that the relevant authorities remove these and other shipwrecks littering our coast without any further delay, as they take the issue of coastal management more seriously in the face of rising global temperatures and the attendant sea level rise in future.


Source:http://www.ncfnigeria.org/web/ocean_surge.php

one mopol:
^^^^^^^^^^^
Nice one man. I will be going to trade fair tommorrow. I 'll try to see if anything serious is happeneing after mile 2.

Any update?

Pls provide us with updates when you get back.

Thanks for the compliments.

I am not sure any work has started in the areas you mentioned.

Major work has been at the Orile-Mile 2 end.

I stand to be corrected as I do not live at or frequent that area.

I heard on Rhythm 93.7 FM this morning that the judge presiding over the toll gate case visited the sites of the toll gates yesterday. I only caught some part of the news and did not get the full gist .

I have searched all day for any report on the case on-line and in the news papers without success.

I hope news on the case is not being censored!

[quote author=baba_eko link=topic=367311.msg7121381#msg7121381 date=1289478095]Hello Johnie

I still heard not heard from you, also the user who suggested a PM. I dont think this website has that functionality.

Thanks.[/quote]I am sorry about the delay is repsonding to your mail. I wanted to give a comprehensive reply.

I have replied now and hope you are satisfied.