₦airaland Forum

Dis Guy:
The problem as I see it, the govt prefer to spend more energy attracting/shopping for private funds for Lekki, Ikoyi areas than other areas, they spent more energy 'opening up estate development' in this one region, creating jobs in these particular axis forgetting people will come from all over the state to work where these jobs are being created, people will move up the social ladder to be able to afford place in or around these ONE particular area

Ajanlekoko,

When you refered us to this thread on the other one,  remember my remark  about objectivity?

My response to the original post (in my mind) was:

“I think there is a general belief that Lekki Axis is a haven exclusive to the rich. I beg to disagree. Any one who knows Eti-Osa and Ibeju-Lekki very well will tell you that it is largely a rural area. We should not think that 'Lekki' is only made up of Lekki Phase 1, NICON Estate, VGC and the like. If you have been to some places which I would not like to mention here, you would be shocked that such rural places still exist on that axis.

I think one should commend those who came up with the Lekki  master plan, (whoever they may be).

One problem I have had with the development of Lagos until recently, has been that in the morning, we are “all” facing the same direction –coming from the Ikorodu axis (Ikorodu, Mile 12, Ketu) ,Ibadan- Ikeja Axis (Mowe/ Ibafo, Akute, Ikeja,  Ogba,Omole, etc) Badagry Axis(Badagry, Okokomaiko, Mile 2, Festac, Satellite Town, Amuwo odofin, Oshodi, etc) in the morning and heading in the same directions at night.

There is need for even development by opening up the rural areas of Lagos (Badagry and Ibeju –Lekki). Many would be surprised to hear that there are rural areas in Lagos but there are!

With development spreading out more evenly, people would be able to find work closer to where they work and we won’t all have “to face the same direction”

I however decided to go with your pay-off- “I have often regretted my speech, never my silence”- Xenocrates

^^^^

They are actually constructing waste water drainage canals. What they are doing is to build them underground. Work on these canals have taken a significant portion of the time spent on this phase of project.

Examples of these canals can be found at:
1. Second round about (See pic 1 -3)
2. Amazon Energy "round about". See pic 4

Between the toll plaza and the first round about, you won't believe the network of drains that are buried underground. When construction was going on there I used to wonder if the work would ever end because as they were covering one place up, they were digging another.

It was the same thing when they were digging up the Amazon Energy junction, one kept wondering what on earth (no pun intended) they were doing until they came out with an Oval-About with the canal in the middle.

I feel that the canals will all be linked up somehow.

I believe strongly that by the time they descend on that portion you are referring to, you would wonder if its the same place. I think I need to take pictures so we can compare when they finish.

I think that once they are through with the underground canal at second round about, they would use it to drain the portions you referred to

I actually prefer having these canals underground as they are safer and more hygienic than the type you referred to at V/I. In addition these ones are quite massive and should be able to carry higher volume of water.

What I do not know is where the water drains to: Lagoon or Ocean?

Pic 1: Underground canal at second round about before it was buried some two weeks ago.
Pic 2-3 The same place now buried. What they are doing now is to level the place in readiness for asphalting.
Pic 4: Amazon Energy Junction canal

^^^^
I think a corridor will have to be created along side the existing road which may also be a reason why only one lane is being added to the existing lanes. There is no way the tracks will run on the median unless the whole road will be re-done.

What are the drainage issues you foresee?

Thanks for the reference to the other thread. I expect it to be interesting - I only hope contributors will be objective.

This is an undated post on LAMATA's website (Webmaster would do well to date such posts!):


Construction of Okokomaiko-Marina Rail line set to begin

With a bold inscription, “We are ready,” the contractor appointed to build the Okokomaiko-Marina Lagos Rail Mass Transit, China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) set the stage for the commencement of one of the rail line for Lagos, which is capable of moving over three hundred thousand passengers daily at commencement of operations.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) on a visit to the equipment and prefabrication yards of the contractor in Lagos, said the whole world is looking to Lagos as it pushes ahead to solve the transportation challenges faced by the over seven million commuters in the state with the construction of two of the seven rail roads planned for Lagos by the government.
Governor Fashola disclosed that a number of Nigerians working in the London underground rail system have been making enquiries on when the project would begin as they had indicated interest in returning home to help in developing the first rail system to be embarked upon by any state in Nigeria. “Nigerians working in London in the underground rail system have spoken to me that they want to come back home and run an efficient rail system.”

He said the vision of the state government was to make public transportation faster, safer and efficient, adding, “it is a winner for Nigeria and Lagos State. It will improve the quality of life in our nation and help transport goods and services. A good rail system such as the one we want to build for Lagos would surely deliver that. This is apart from the jobs it would provide for Nigeria. Currently there are over 4000 Nigerians working on this project.”
transport award
L-R: Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State, Mr. Paul Kalejaiye, Special Adviser, Rural Development, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and Mr. Shi Stone of CCECC briefing Governor Fashola on preparations towards the start of construction of the Okokomaiko-Marina rail line.



Some of the workers mobilized for the Blue Line (Okokomaiko-CMS) of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit system displaying a large banner with the inscription “We are ready” to indicate their readiness to commence construction of the rail system capable of moving more than 300,000 passengers daily.

“The Okokomaiko-Marina Lagos Mass Transit system would take 36 months to construct and we are sure that with its construction and eventual operations, we would have taken a bold step in solving the transportation challenges of the good people of Lagos.

“We also hope that with the collaboration with the Federal Government to use part of its corridor for the Red line which would run from Marina to Agbado and eventually Ijoko in neigbouring Ogun State, the stage would be set to move more than 1.6 million passengers per day.

“We have already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Railway Corporation on the use of its corridor but we need the Federal Government’s eventual nod to get this going. We need to get faster because ‘we are ready to go’” the Governor stated.

He also spoke on other mass transportation initiatives designed to deliver affordable, reliable, safe and efficient transportation system for Lagos disclosing that the redevelopment of the Murtala Muhammed Road, with a segregated lane for BRT was nearing completion and “this will expedite the extension of the present BRT corridor from Mile 12 to Iddo and CMS”.

While calling on Lagosians to be patient as his administration delivers on its electoral promises, Governor Fashola called for the continued support of the people for the administration in making life easy for everyone resident in Lagos while admonishing them to pay their tax.

The Project Manager for the rail project, Mr Shi Hongbing while briefing on the Blue Line said the survey and detailed design of the project had been completed saying the contracting firm was only waiting the nod of the state government to commence construction.

For further information, please contact:
Kolawole Ojelabi
External Relations Specialist,
Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA),
Block C, 2nd Floor Motorways Center,
1, Motorways Avenue, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos.
Tel: 08038556452, 017905343
Email: kojelabi@lamata-ng.com; kolawoleojelabi@gmail.com

Source: http://www.lamata-ng.com/newsreader77.html

Pic 1: L-R: Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State, Mr. Paul Kalejaiye, Special Adviser, Rural Development, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and Mr. Shi Stone of CCECC briefing Governor Fashola on preparations towards the start of construction of the Okokomaiko-Marina rail line.

Pic 2:Some of the workers mobilized for the Blue Line (Okokomaiko-CMS) of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit system displaying a large banner with the inscription “We are ready” to indicate their readiness to commence construction of the rail system capable of moving more than 300,000 passengers daily

I had been wondering why a BRT lane was not added to the Lekki-Epe  Expressway until I came across this.

It shows a proposed mass transit rail line from Marina to the Lekki Free Trade Zone/Lekki Airport dubbed the Green Line.

The details are as follows:

Length (Km):   37Km
Estimated cost :$1.4bn
Projected no. of passengers at the peak hour: 80,000 (The highest among all the planned lines which may explain why only one lane is being added to the expressway)

With the concessioning of the express road for so many years,  I am not sure this project will take off soon.

LCC must "recoup some of its investments" before such an efficient alternative can take off.

What do you think?

johnie:
MINISTER of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, said the Federal Government is to start work on the proposed multi-billion dollars East-West coastal road, which stretches some 667.38 kilometres from Calabar to Lagos, before the end of his administration.

According to him, the road project is dear to the ministry; thus, it is determined to start work soon.

Orubebe said the ministry would take over the job from the NDDC, which had initially awarded contract for its design.

According to him, the project of this magnitude can only be handled by a ministry and not an intervention agency like the NDDC.

Man proposes, God disposes.

I hope “militants” will not blow the” pipeline” this project is coming through before it becomes a reality.

Govt to begin East-West coastal road project soon, says minister
Tuesday, 27 July 2010 00:00 From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt News - 

MINISTER of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, said the Federal Government is to start work on the proposed multi-billion dollars[b] East-West coastal road, which stretches some 667.38 kilometres from Calabar to Lagos[/b], before the end of his administration.

And as a mark of government’s commitment to begin the project, the minister has set up a committee to study the report of the engineering design carried out by Pearl Consultants for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Orubebe, while receiving the design, which is based on the Niger Delta regional master-plan, explained that President Goodluck Jonathan had directed that a detailed analysis of the design should be studied with a view to awarding the road contract.

The minister noted that this is the first time in the country’s history where everyone is in unison to develop the Niger Delta.
According to him, the road project is dear to the ministry; thus, it is determined to start work soon.

He explained that if the road will be the only project that the government will embark on the Niger Delta, it would be worthwhile because it would open up the remotest part of the region to the entire country.

Orubebe said the ministry would take over the job from the NDDC, which had initially awarded contract for its design.

According to him, the project of this magnitude can only be handled by a ministry and not an intervention agency like the NDDC.

Also, the Managing Director of Pearl Consultants, Mr. Mayne David-West, explained that the cardinal objective of the road is to link the major settlements and federal oil infrastructure and installations spread along the coastline; thereby opening up the Niger Delta region for meaningful development.

He explained that objective of the regional road is to serve as strong east west spine from Calabar towards Lagos, with several north-south ribs connecting growth poles, central and northern Nigeria.

Based on the design, he explained that the east west costal road would serve as the shortest route linking Lagos to the coastal areas of Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states and also connect the North and South vertical routes.
Source: http://ww2.guardiannewsngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18103:govt-to-begin-east-west-coastal-road-project-soon-says-minister&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

I suppose this road will link up the Lekki coastal road

Fashola Seeks Peace Between Stakeholders and Concessionaire Of Lekki-Epe Expressway.

July 26, 2010

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has brokered peace between stakeholders of Ibeju-Lekki and the Concessionaire of the Lekki-Epe Expressway over issues arising from the landmark project.

The peace meeting resulted in the setting up of a Committee of all the stakeholders comprising traditional rulers, elders of Eti-Osa, Iru and Ibeju-Lekki as well as the concessionaire – Lekki Concession Company (LCC) to work towards the amicable resolution of all the issues at stake.

Giving an insight into the immense benefits of the Lekki-Epe Expressway project after listening to representations made by the stakeholders, Governor Fashola who spoke at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Alausa venue of the meeting on the 22nd of July, explained that the tolling of the road is in order to enable the concessionaire recoup the investment it made adding that although it may not be easy initially, the long-term benefits to the community far out-weigh the challenges.

Citing an example with Boston in the United States of America, Governor Fashola said although it is a novel idea in Nigeria, tolling has been employed across the globe to execute multi-million dollar projects with far-reaching socio-economic gains adding that the Boston Underground Road which initially raised agitations and resistance from the people has today become a place to behold.

“Change does not come so easily, but the gains outweigh the pains”, the Governor said adding that the road will open up access to the on-going Lekki Free Trade Zone, the Lekki Seaport including the refinery which the Federal Government plans to site in the area.

“I implore us, we are not building only road; our agreement is more than just building a road. It is not for the development of Eti-Osa alone but the entire Lagos State”, the Governor pleaded pointing out that the Concessionaire sought assurance from the State Government that there would be no breach of agreement.

According to Governor Fashola, even after the assurance by the State Government, the Concessionaire still did not commence work until the Government supported the agreement with a law passed by the representatives of the people in the State House of Assembly and the Federal Executive Council deliberated and passed a resolution on it.

On the gains already being recorded as a result of the road, the Governor said the road project has led to the appreciation of property value in the area adding, “The completion of the road is what the area is expecting. It is for the future development of the area”.

On the likely consequences of any breach of the agreement on the side of the State Government, Governor Fashola warned[b], “If we say we do not want the project to continue, it is not about money alone; it is about our reputation. The project is funded by international finance institutions. A breach of the contract will not be good for Lagos or Nigeria”.

He recalled the multi-billion dollar metro line project proposed for Lagos by former Governor Lateef Jakande pointing out that when another government truncated the contract even after the design had been completed; the State Government not only lost the project, it also lost money because the contractor went to court and sued the Government for breach of contract.

“Stopping the Concessioning agreement of the Lekki-Epe Expressway now will obviously affect other concessioning agreements in Nigeria”, Governor Fashola said adding that the Federal Government has already given a guarantee on the project. [/b]

Promising that all grey areas on the issue will be resolved soon, Governor Fashola called for nominations into a committee being set up by the State Government for that purpose adding that the Committee would comprise of stakeholders, traditional rulers, and elders of Eti-Osa, Iru and Ibeju-Lekki.

Earlier, a representative of the stakeholders, Mr. Adewale Sanni, had articulated their grievances to include the erection of three toll-gates and the fencing off of some communities in the area.


Present at the well attended meeting which lasted for over two hours, were stakeholders, elders and leaders of thought, traditional rulers and representatives of Lekki-Epe Expressway concessionaire as well as State Government officials including the Honourable Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Town Planner Francisco Abosede, the Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Olalekan Ifemode.

The meeting attended by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Marvel Akpoyibo, also had in attendance a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Jide Akinloye and the local government chairmen of the area.

Among the traditional rulers present were the Alara of Ilara, the Ojomu of Ajiranland, the Aladeshoyin of Odo-Naforija, the Onilekki of Lekki, the Onibeju of Ibeju, the Alaketu of Ketu, the Onise of Ise, the Onitedo of Itedo, the Olofin of Orugbo, representative of Oba Oniru of Iruland, representative of Abowa of Agbowa and the Omola of Odomola, Chief Razaq Falana, Chief Mudashiru Lawal, the Baale of Aromire, among many other traditional rulers and chiefs.

On the stakeholders’ side were Hon. Yahaya Adeniyi Dosunmu, Major General Paul Toun (rtd), Mr. Lawal Fatai Olalekan, among others while the Lekki Concession Company (LCC) had in attendance its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Opuiyo Oforiokuma, among other officials

Source: http://brfashola.org/2010/07/26/fashola-seeks-peace-between-stakeholders-and-concessionaire-of-lekki-epe-expressway/

johnie:
Two years after, Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge still at 25% completion stage
Designed to be executed in three phases, the contractor handling the project, Julius Berger plc, is still battling with phase one which is basically the piling of the pillars on which the bridge will rest.
The 1358-metre long bridge, on completion, is expected to bridge the gap between the two high-brow Lagos areas - occupied largely by the rich. It is being constructed across the lagoon flowing towards Osborne in Ikoyi and Lekki Scheme1 Housing Estate. The first phase of the project, according to the contract terms, meant to run between March and December 2009, and involving mappings, designing and soil tests, has been completed.Apart from the concrete pillars upon which the bridge will rest, under the second phase, which is currently ongoing and scheduled to run from January to December 2010, the contractor is expected to give the 8.0mx2 wide carriageway bridge a shape.

Like Paddy noted where I sourced this article, the title is misleading.

In addition, the reporter contradicts himself by saying that the contractor is still battling with phase one while at the same time saying that phase one has been completed.

The same article says that phase two which is currently ongoing is scheduled to be completed by December 2010. Yet he says the progress of work is slow!

Mr. Reporter, what’s your real objective?

Two years after, Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge still at 25% completion stage
Tuesday, 27 July 2010 01:08 Enam Obiosio & Joshua Bassey

The slow pace of work on the new Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge is generating ripples among government circles and road users More than two years after the contract for its construction was awarded with much hope of relief to residents of the highbrow Ikoyi and Lekki housing scheme, the Admiralty-Alexander (Lekki-Ikoyi) Link Bridge in Lagos State remains at below 25 percent completion stage.

The bridge was due to be completed in 2011, but judging from the slow pace of work, there is no assurance that this will be the case. BusinessDay exclusively gathered that the slow pace of work is as a result of project funding difficulties. This may not be unconnected with the decision of the Lagos House of Assembly to slash the state’s budget for this fiscal year by N40 billion, before passing the bill early this year.

However, efforts by the state executive to get the legislature to re-approve additional funds to give a push to various ongoing projects have so far been unsuccessful, as the legislators in

May this year, turned down the executive’s request for a 74.777 billion approval. A source at the House of Assembly told BusinessDay on Wednesday that the legislators could not approve the proposal because the executive could not convince the House on how it intends to raise the money and how it planned to use it.

Specifically, the speaker of the House of Assembly is afraid the executive could incur more debt, as it appears government lacks the financial wherewithal to offset its loans. “The state government is borrowing too much. Currently, it has a debt profile of about N100 billion. I do not think we can encourage this administration to move faster than that, simply because we do not have commensurate income to offset the borrowing,” Ikuforiji said.

Designed to be executed in three phases, the contractor handling the project, Julius Berger plc, is still battling with phase one which is basically the piling of the pillars on which the bridge will rest.

Special adviser to the Lagos State governor on works and infrastructure, Ganiyu Johnson, who would not give a true picture of what has been responsible for the slow pace of work on the project, put the level of completion at 25 percent. But he ruled out the possibility of abandoning the project which is meant to serve residents of the highbrow Ikoyi and Lekki phase one scheme. He explained that the rationale behind the bridge project is to decongest the Epe-Lekki corridor.

“It is designed for the decongestion of the Lekki-Epe road and its environs, and it is also for the promotion of real estate development,” Johnson said. The bridge project, awarded in March 2009 by the Lagos State government, is conceived and partly designed as an alternative route within the area to shorten travel time between Ikoyi and Lekki, as against what currently obtains where motorists, on a bad day, spend hours before reaching their destinations.

The 1358-metre long bridge, on completion, is expected to bridge the gap between the two high-brow Lagos areas - occupied largely by the rich. It is being constructed across the lagoon flowing towards Osborne in Ikoyi and Lekki Scheme1 Housing Estate. The first phase of the project, according to the contract terms, meant to run between March and December 2009, and involving mappings, designing and soil tests, has been completed. Apart from the concrete pillars upon which the bridge will rest, under the second phase, which is currently ongoing and scheduled to run from January to December 2010, the contractor is expected to give the 8.0mx2 wide carriageway bridge a shape.

The bridge is also designed to have a maximum of 3.5 percent vertical alignment and minimum radius of 350 metres horizontal alignment with 90 metres pylon height from water level. Additional facilities to be added on full completion are 2.3mx2 walkway, streetlights and cable ducts. When BusinessDay visited the site this week, work was in progress, as concrete pillars upon which the bridge would rest had almost gone half-way across the lagoon from the Lekki end. Special adviser to the Lagos State government on works and infrastructure, Ganiyu Johnson, appraising the project, said equipment and materials necessary to complete it within the scheduled time have been fully mobilised by the contractor, and that government does not foresee any setback on the project.

Johnson, however, believes that beyond addressing the need of the residents, the project is also going to open a window of job opportunities to commercial bus drivers who will commute Lagosians visiting these high-brow settlements.

“It will enable the residents of Ikoyi, Lekki and the entire Lagos Island to reach their destinations much faster, and this is what governance is all about,” he states.

With this project, people are already beginning to ask about the fate of other projects. Oba Ugbekpe, a resident of Ikorodu, is asking when respite will come the way of the people of Ikorodu. “Though the project is slow, and the new bridge, no doubt, holds hope and relief for Ikoyi and Lekki residents; when are we going to have something like this in Ikorodu?”, he asks.

Oye Akintoye, a resident of Ikoyi area, holds a different opinion, saying that the bridge is a good idea, but Ikoyi residents should be prepared for the deluge of traffic through their areas, as many people will use the bridge. “This will make Ikoyi much less serene and secure,” he cautions.

Source: http://www.businessdayonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13090:two-years-after-lekki-ikoyi-bridge-still-at-25-completion-stage&catid=117:news&Itemid=349

Good news for you Ajanlekoko.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dis_guy, what I have are:

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

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

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


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

Anyone with more detailed information, please help!

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

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

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

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

Still Waters Estate is in the background of pic 4

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

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

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

The second round about.

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

Work on the median.

Heading towards the second round about from the third.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Welcome!

third round about

Third round about

Third Round about (24 hours later!)

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

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

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

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

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


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

Still going round heading towards Chevron

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

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

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

Pic 2: Observe the location of the bus stop


Heading towards the fourth round about:

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

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

At the round about.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

Dis Guy:
na wa o new office every year

So whats the traffic like around silverbird

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

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

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

Thanks P_NL!

[quote author=phuck_NL link=topic=367311.msg6437982#msg6437982 date=1279895739]His words: “We never for once disclosed that the LCC would commence collecting toll on the Lekki-Epe toll-plaza on August 1. What we said was that we believe that by August, the project should be completed.”[/quote]Wonderful! Where did that story come from? Who's lying? The journalists who carried it?

[quote author=phuck_NL link=topic=367311.msg6437982#msg6437982 date=1279895739]The LCC boss said that the company had provided alternative routes for motorists who cannot afford the toll in line with global practice, noting that the company had also offered the state government N2 billion to accelerate work on the alternative routes.[/quote]Yes, I can confirm that alternative routes exist up to Amazon Energy junction. But LCC, where are the alternative routes after that point?



[quote author=phuck_NL link=topic=367311.msg6437982#msg6437982 date=1279895739]He said that the toll gates would be built in three phases and that the first one located at Maroko would be completed and certified by independent engineers before the company would embark on the second toll at Boroku.[/quote]Embark? The second toll plaza is already under construction!

[quote author=phuck_NL link=topic=367311.msg6437982#msg6437982 date=1279895739]LCC’s Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Opuiyo Oforokuma, made the declaration when the eight-man ad-hoc committee mandated by the Lagos State House of Assembly to investigate the project visited the company yesterday.[/quote]At last! At long last!

^^^^
Thanks for seconding that!

Would like updates from you too.

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