Since Bola Ahmed Tinubu identified the 4th mainland bridge that will link Lekki and Ikorodu,it has been mere political tool for political office campaigners.Nothing much has been done about that.

Fashola during his campaign promised he was going to start it during his tenure,but since assumption of office nothing has been said about it.

The importance of a 4th mainland bridge linking Ikorodu and Lekki cannot be over-emphasized.less burden will be placed on 3rd mainland bridge and Ikorodu road,beside,there will be a mass exodus to towns around ikorodu area,thereby dec

Guys whats ur take on this-congesting the already congested mainland lagos.

Nothing for Ikoroduduas

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.

“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.

some taxpayers in Lagos Obviously take more priority over others

The 4th Mainland Bridge is a very, very laudable project that will bring a lot of succor to the users.

I read in the papers about 18 months ago when Union Bank said they will bankroll the project but since then no one knows what has been happening both on the part of LASG and on the part of the finnanciers.

KnowAll:

The 4th mainland bridge is a capital intensive project which if you look at it critically should be a welfare project by the state to its citizenry that is alleviating the daily pains of commuters stuck in traffic jams. This kind of project will not bold well for any government to build it and put a toll on. The lekki – Epe road that was recently tolled is very unpopular amongst the local people. Any Government that wants to win elections will not want to start tolling every road built. A backlash to the Lekki toll was AC losing the LG chairmanship or is it State House of Assembly in around lekki to PDP. The metroline project will bring money in and that money can be use to build the 4th mainland bridge. The metroline project will definitely get more priority than the 4th mainland bridge.

Don't agree with you, dude.
There is no way Lagos State government can afford to build that bridge in today's economic climate.
There's already alternative routes to Lekki that is not tolled. Ikorodu via Ketu, linking up to 3rd mainland. The problem with the Lekki-Epe toll road is that there is no government alternative, plus the LCC guys are eager to start tolling without commissioning the road (which is ridiculous).
Let's face it, if we want sustainable development we need to think of attracting funds from somewhere else. Most of the Lagosians demanding for social infrastructure are non-tax-paying migrants.

AjanleKoko:

Don't agree with you, dude.
There is no way Lagos State government can afford to build that bridge in today's economic climate.
There's already alternative routes to Lekki that is not tolled. Ikorodu via Ketu, linking up to 3rd mainland. The problem with the Lekki-Epe toll road is that there is no government alternative, plus the LCC guys are eager to start tolling without commissioning the road (which is ridiculous).
Let's face it, if we want sustainable development we need to think of attracting funds from somewhere else. Most of the Lagosians demanding for social infrastructure are non-tax-paying migrants.

What do you mean, they are not lagosians or they refuse to pay tax?

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

“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.

Dis Guy:

What do you mean, they are not lagosians or they refuse to pay tax?

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

Well, a bit of both really.
Remember that there are Lagos indigenes, and there are also migrants from other states. Most of the migrants are economic migrants who won't pay tax, because they won't find jobs in the formal sector, and they don't have any form of record. But they will use the infrastructure.
That's a bit unfair on, say, Ikorodu indigenes, or Lekki Indigenes (yes, there are a whole bunch of villages in the Ibeju-Lekki area that will benefit from this new infrastructure) who probably pay some sort of tax or the other. Taxes like tenement rates, council levies for those who do petty trading, stuff like that.

I won't hold brief for government, but I think it makes sense to open up the Lekki areas. Mainland is choked up badly, and there is a need to open up a new axis of town. From Ajah down to Ibeju, the area is virgin. Apart from Lekki schemes, and a few of those pricey estates, everywhere there is pretty much low-income areas and villages. Most of the crowd strangling Mushin, Agege/Alimosho, Sabo/Yaba, and other highly congested areas in Lagos Mainland should consider moving to that side of town.

Rent is already comparable in those areas anyway. In Ikate area, just after 2nd roundabout, you can get a 3-bedroom terrace house for N1.2m per annum. In Opebi Ikeja, it goes for 1.5m.

Dis Guy:

What do you mean, they are not lagosians or they refuse to pay tax?

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

I am with you!!!

AjanleKoko:

Well, a bit of both really.
Remember that there are Lagos indigenes, and there are also migrants from other states. Most of the migrants are economic migrants who won't pay tax, because they won't find jobs in the formal sector, and they don't have any form of record. But they will use the infrastructure.
That's a bit unfair on, say, Ikorodu indigenes, or Lekki Indigenes (yes, there are a whole bunch of villages in the Ibeju-Lekki area that will benefit from this new infrastructure) who probably pay some sort of tax or the other. Taxes like tenement rates, council levies for those who do petty trading, stuff like that.

I won't hold brief for government, but I think it makes sense to open up the Lekki areas. Mainland is choked up badly, and there is a need to open up a new axis of town. From Ajah down to Ibeju, the area is virgin. Apart from Lekki schemes, and a few of those pricey estates, everywhere there is pretty much low-income areas and villages. Most of the crowd strangling Mushin, Agege/Alimosho, Sabo/Yaba, and other highly congested areas in Lagos Mainland should consider moving to that side of town.

Rent is already comparable in those areas anyway. In Ikate area, just after 2nd roundabout, you can get a 3-bedroom terrace house for N1.2m per annum. In Opebi Ikeja, it goes for 1.5m.

Most of the crowd strangling those areas mentioned cannot actually afford to live in the Lekki axis. Plus Ikorodu is also another axis of town. Oworonshoki/Ketu/Ikorodu traffic situation between the hours of 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm is horrific to say the least, most of these people live in those areas and work on the islands.

Methinks Fashola & his godfather are focusing heavily on the Lekki axis because that's where their investments and those of their cronies are concentrated. Now wouldn't the 4th mainland bridge have made more sense/added more value than the elitist Atlantic city project.

Kobojunkie:

I am with you!!!

i am also with you

AjanleKoko:

I won't hold brief for government, but I think it makes sense to open up the Lekki areas. Mainland is choked up badly, and there is a need to open up a new axis of town.  
Rent is already comparable in those areas anyway. In Ikate area, just after 2nd roundabout, you can get a 3-bedroom terrace house for N1.2m per annum. In Opebi Ikeja, it goes for 1.5m.

One of the reasons the mainland is choked up is because life for millions is more and more unaffordable out towards lekki. How many people can afford places like Ikate or Ikeja at those rates? Ikorodu is still relatively cheap and there are fears that opening up the place to those who already own most of Lekki will also lead to property price hikes, even further out of the range of the poor.

^^
Do any of you guys live in Lagos at all?

Kobojunkie:

One of the reasons the mainland is choked up is because life for millions is more and more unaffordable out towards lekki. How many people can afford places like Ikate or Ikeja at those rates? Ikorodu is still relatively cheap and there are fears that opening up the place to those who already own most of Lekki will also lead to property price hikes, even further out of the range of the poor.

What are you saying? That Lekki people will 'take over' Ikorodu? Abeg what kind of 'countryman analysis' is that?
Why would they want to do that when more than 90% of the axis where they live remains undeveloped?

The so-called 'rich' Lekki is only a few estates like Oniru, Lekki 1, VGC, Northern Foreshore, and about half a dozen unoccupied developments. Good luck to people who own anything in those places.

Osapa/Agungi, Ikota, Badore, Ajah, Awoyaya, Jakande, are also part of Ibeju-Lekki. After Lagos Business School, down to Epe, it is 90% villages and forests.

Of course, duh , provision of new infrastructure will lead to property price hike. With 20 million people struggling for maybe 10,000 apartments, what else is supposed to happen?

Have you thought about the fact that the new road/bridge will give Ikorodu people easier access to industrial districts like LFTZ or the proposed airport, when they take off? More people can live in Ikorodu and work in VI/Lekki, commute will be faster?

You guys should actually try to visit some of these areas. Una just dey read paper.

Kobojunkie:

One of the reasons the mainland is choked up is because life for millions is more and more unaffordable out towards lekki. How many people can afford places like Ikate or Ikeja at those rates? Ikorodu is still relatively cheap and there are fears that opening up the place to those who already own most of Lekki will also lead to property price hikes, even further out of the range of the poor.

Now, where exactly did I state those fears are mine? These are concerns from some of the people who live in Ikorodu I have spoken to of the bridge in recent times. Jeeezzzz!!! No need pretending everyone in Lagos thinks or sees things from your eyes there.

A lot of people have been displaced over the years and many of them have had to crowd places like Ikorodu because of the increase in cost of land and property in places like Lekki, Ikeja etc. There has been an almost 300% rise in property over the last 10 years alone. So, I understand how people will feel that even with the good there is that potential for properties to go out the roof as well, and they might be pushed even further out as a result into neighboring states or something.

Kobojunkie:

Now, where exactly did I state those fears are mine? These are concerns from some of the people who live in Ikorodu I have spoken to of the bridge in recent times. Jeeezzzz!!! No need pretending everyone in Lagos thinks or sees things from your eyes there.

A lot of people have been displaced over the years and many of them have had to crowd places like Ikorodu because of the increase in cost of land and property in places like Lekki, Ikeja etc. There has been an almost 300% rise in property over the last 10 years alone. So, I understand how people will feel that even with the good there is that potential for properties to go out the roof as well, and they might be pushed even further out as a result into neighboring states or something.

@KJ,
People are already living as far as Sagamu and working on Lagos Island. So no news there. The rate of migration into Lagos, since there is very poor economic activity in almost every other state, far outweighs the potential for development, or even the revenue opportunities and budgetary allocation available to Lagos state.

Some of those your people, even though it's not their fault, are a part of the problem in Lagos state. When you invite your jobless relatives from the North, East or West, to come and live with you in Lagos, you add to the overcrowding. Of course it is not your fault; the economic situation is bad. But they still live in the same little Lagos, and need to have access to amenities. Power, water, roads, transport, the whole shebang. Or else, they can't improve their economic lot. Simple logic.

So what's the logical solution? Lagos needs to somehow expand. The only way you can expand is to take development to the hinterlands, eastwards towards Lekki, westwards towards Badagry, and northwards, towards Ikorodu, as well as the Ogun border (Isheri).

How do you do that? Make sure those areas are accessible, by building roads, which hitherto has limited access to these areas. Then people can start to see the potential in developing those areas, starting from individuals buying lands, to developers building estates. Housing may go up, it may come down, that's the way of the market. Right now property prices are tumbling in Lekki, but rent prices are climbing.

People can't afford to buy, but they are renting, because the new road is a new opportunity for them to move closer to work.

Considering its exploding population growth, Lagos should be building its 14th Mainland bridge by now!

AjanleKoko:

@KJ,
People are already living as far as Sagamu and working on Lagos Island. So no news there. The rate of migration into Lagos, since there is very poor economic activity in almost every other state, far outweighs the potential for development, or even the revenue opportunities and budgetary allocation available to Lagos state.

lol . . . .  Sigh!!
It is a rush to assume that the poor in Lagos are migrants. Many of these people have lived in Lagos longer than many of you can even claim. Some of those who now live in places like Agbowa, and even Sagamu were forced to move as a result of the rise in cost of living in their own hometowns.

AjanleKoko:

Some of those your people, even though it's not their fault, are a part of the problem in Lagos state. When you invite your jobless relatives from the North, East or West, to come and live with you in Lagos, you add to the overcrowding. Of course it is not your fault; the economic situation is bad. But they still live in the same little Lagos, and need to have access to amenities. Power, water, roads, transport, the whole shebang. Or else, they can't improve their economic lot. Simple logic.

I am sorry your simple logic is not that. Again, we are not speaking solely of migrants. It is, again, unwise to assume the poor in Lagos are all migrants. Many of these people did not come from the North or east or west, they are from right there in Lagos. They have lived there for generations and are now being forced out by the high cost of living in their own home towns.  
It is hugely naive to assume that all those affected are migrants.

AjanleKoko:

So what's the logical solution? Lagos needs to somehow expand. The only way you can expand is to take development to the hinterlands, eastwards towards Lekki, westwards towards Badagry, and northwards, towards Ikorodu, as well as the Ogun border (Isheri).

Lagos needs to expand? Logical Solution?

AjanleKoko:

How do you do that? Make sure those areas are accessible, by building roads, which hitherto has limited access to these areas. Then people can start to see the potential in developing those areas, starting from individuals buying lands, to developers building estates. Housing may go up, it may come down, that's the way of the market. Right now property prices are tumbling in Lekki, but rent prices are climbing.
People can't afford to buy, but they are renting, because the new road is a new opportunity for them to move closer to work.

I am not sure why this seems to be turning into another US vs THEM rumble. I think I will pass at this point.

Kobojunkie:

lol . . . .  Sigh!!
It is a rush to assume that the poor in Lagos are migrants. Many of these people have lived in Lagos longer than many of you can even claim. Some of those who now live in places like Agbowa, and even Sagamu were forced to move as a result of the rise in cost of living in their own hometowns.
I am sorry your simple logic is not that. Again, we are not speaking solely of migrants. It is, again, unwise to assume the poor in Lagos are all migrants. Many of these people did not come from the North or east or west, they are from right there in Lagos. They have lived there for generations and are now being forced out by the high cost of living in their own home towns.  
It is hugely naive to assume that all those affected are migrants.
Lagos needs to expand? Logical Solution?
I am not sure why this seems to be turning into another US vs THEM rumble. I think I will pass at this point.

You don't need to sulk, at least not with me. I don't do the Us vs Them thing, whatever that means; I am much more widely travelled than most Nigerians anywhere in the world.  Make whatever you like of that.

Let us argue based on objectivity. This is my own standpoint: I consider myself to be well-informed on this matter for the following reasons.

1. I was born in Lagos, and have lived, worked, and went to school all over Lagos mainland for all of my natural life.

2. Both my parents can be considered migrants; they came to Lagos for university, and stayed to work and make a life. So I'm not a son-of-the-soil at all.

3. I don't work for any government agency and have never done. But I ply my trade in Lagos island and currently live on the mainland, so I have more than a fair appreciation of the current commute and other accessibility challenges.

4. I happen to have made property investments on the island and mainland, even in your Ikorodu. None of these investments were premium, i.e. I didn't buy property in Lekki Scheme 1, Oniru, VGC, or any of the other posh estates. Can't even afford it. So I am fully a stakeholder in whatever government is doing in these areas, especially developments that don't slant towards the high end of society.

Now back to the matter at hand:

You are just talking as if people are being chased out of their homes with sticks, and forced to live in Ikorodu or Sagamu.
People ran to Sagamu because of high cost of living in . . . wait for it, in their own home towns? Where is that, Lagos mainland? Ikeja? Is Ikeja anybody's home town?

The only thing that has forced up property prices is migration, and the attendant increase in demand for accomodation. Nothing more. There is a steady influx of people into Lagos; in fact I observe nowadays that a lot of people that had left in previous years are coming back.

By the way, I was in Ikorodu on Sunday. I visit there on the average twice a month, because I have a property interest there.

For me, the government in Lagos is on the right track. There's a lot of room for improvement, but building roads, putting mass transit systems in place, is the way to go.

1) Have I anywhere stated that the government is not on the right track or I am against this bridge?

2) Have I anywhere stated that the only place where people call their hometown in Lagos is Ikeja area?

3) That you claim you are a migrant, is that then reason to generalize in anyway, even on this?

4) Do you have any data showing that people who are not themselves migrants are not among the ranks of the poor in the state?

5) Have I anywhere stated that these people are being CHASED out or something?

6) Do you have any data to show that the ONLY thing that has forced property prices up is migration?

Like I said, I am not up for some US vs THEM rumble . .  seriously, I am not in for another one of those even on this.  If you will answer, please don't pontificate, just answer the questions, simple!

^^


Okay sir (or is it Ma'am).
Pele.

By data, do you mean that your thingy, copying and pasting links?
I thought you'd know by now that I'm too lazy to do that. Not a professional NL argu-er.

This one no be link matter. We live in Lagos, so we can say what we see everyday.
Maybe this discussion should move to the property section, actually

Sigh!!!

Kobojunkie:

Sigh!!!

And rightly so jare.
You're not a stakeholder. You just want to argue. Which is kinda tiring

And how did you arrive at my not being a Stakeholder?

Let me guess, I have to be in the other GROUP since I do not want to see this as you do? Sigh!

So, those who live in Lagos and work and see it all too but have differing views are not Lagosians, right? Those who are themselves finding they have to sell to continue to live there are not Lagosians and their woes should not be considered at all? WOW!!

Look, if it tires you, then don't respond when asked serious questions of the issues, it is that simple!

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

Kobojunkie:

And how did you arrive at my not being a Stakeholder?

Let me guess, I have to be in the other GROUP since I do not want to see this as you do? Sigh!

So, those who live in Lagos and work and see it all too but have differing views are not Lagosians, right? Those who are themselves finding they have to sell to continue to live there are not Lagosians and their woes should not be considered at all? WOW!!

Look, if it tires you, then don't respond when asked serious questions of the issues, it is that simple!  

. . . and another round of  

Since you're all about views, you must be some kind of professional debater

Abeg you're not a stakeholder jare. Now run off and find some other thread to argue on!

Oh, I am and I have made that clear on so many threads now. I don't deny that I love and enjoy debating angles but I am curious as to how this bothers your existence? ? ? ? ? ?

Is it that when your view and perception is challenged/questioned  in anyway, you also resort to analyzing the person rather than the situation being discussed? Is that what I am supposed to take from this then? Cause I am cool with that !

Kobojunkie:

Oh, I am and I have made that clear on so many threads now. I don't deny that I love and enjoy debating angles but I am curious as to how this bothers your existence? ? ? ? ? ?

Is it that when your view and perception is challenged/questioned  in anyway, you also resort to analyzing the person rather than the situation being discussed? Is that what I am supposed to take from this then? Cause  I am cool with that !

Sorry, ma'am, I don't play that sport.

Now, if you have something to say about the 4th Mainland bridge, as a real Lagos stakeholder, and not a professional debater, let's discuss it.
Else . . . take your own advice from 6 replies up.

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.

my belief is that Lekki Axis WILL become a haven for the rich the rural villages there will naturally disappear BUT there's absolutely nothing wrong with that, what what i'm worried about is this, "we are doing this one first when we finish we will do the other bits of Lagos"
why this one first? Is it because its less challenging and the result will be visible in a short time?
Is it because private funds can to recoup their investment quicker from these area? and if so why isnt the Government using it's money and energy saved as a result of attracting private funds to this axis on otehr areas that isnt attracting as much private investment to BALANCE development and avoid this scenario you also noticed here . . .

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”

That 'all' in a few more years will be tens of millions as they all go to work in this area the Govt has presently focused solely on, the traffic is bad in this area at the moment and it will get worse if infrastructure and road options like the 4th Mainland bridge is not provided

the Ikoyi lekki bridge was proposed a few years ago and voila its already 1/3 through completion, the 4th mainland bridge has been on the board for forever

Dis Guy:

That 'all' in a few more years will be tens of millions as they all go to work in this area the Govt has presently focused solely on, the traffic is bad in this area at the moment and it will get worse if infrastructure and road options like the 4th Mainland bridge is not provided

the Ikoyi lekki bridge was proposed a few years ago and voila its already 1/3 through completion, the 4th mainland bridge has been on the board for forever

Hmm.
I think what they're saying makes sense though. Right now, the government is working on the Badagry Corridor and the Lekki Corridor. The next big project ideally should be the 4th Mainland bridge.
Remember that project may run into the billions of $$$. Unless a viable PPP vehicle can be set up, no amount of wishing will make it happen.

I actually agree with the original poster that the bridge has been used as a campaign tool.

I vividly remember Tinubu asking us to "imagine" a fourth mainland bridge in his 2003 campaign advert.

We are still imagining it!

johnie:

I actually agree with the original poster that the bridge has been used as a campaign tool.

I vividly remember Tinubu asking us to "imagine" a fourth mainland bridge in his 2003 campaign advert.

We are still imagining it!

I could not help but laugh at that one! Well, at least he is taking steps towards achieving it.

Yea right,so they'll collect tolls on the bridge huh