Thanks man. You are simply wonderful. I can now hope for a stress free xmas holiday.

Johnnie,

Many thanks for the good job you are doing. We (myself and my friend) are most appreciative of the selfless service.

Any update on the roadworks from around 2nd roundabout to chevron? Heard work has moved to the ibeju side.

I beg, any update on the works being done on the road? Also, any info on the bypass by Oluwanisola will be most appreciated.

A very interesting article to read. Those of us in the lekki axis may learn a thing or two from it.

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201011073365073

I 100% support this guy.


This Lekki Expressway toll palaver Wednesday, 03 November 2010 00:00 Nwabueze Idam

A while ago, there was a protest in Lekki by about 100 people, which the organisers hyped well enough to attract the attention of the media, and of course that of the Lagos State government.

Having learnt from the 24-hour news circle and the impact of repeatedly showing images of agitators, a concept that is the standard fare in the United States via Fox News, the cable news channel, the protesters staged a demonstration with television and radio crews in tow. The about 80-strong demonstrators were suddenly blown into "thousands of people", and their grouse became Lagos residents, or "Lekki residents kick against construction and tolling of the Lekki expressway".




In rushed analyses, even if not properly understood, experts and what have you made their way to the press, with seemingly reasoned advice on why the road should not be tolled and why the concessionaire should be stopped from further work. Or as one expert puts it, that after LCC finishes constructing the road, the Lagos State government should ask the contractor how much was spent and pay them off. I am not an expert in road construction or concession, nor even an expert in tolling of roads. The only tolling system I know of was the Federal Government's tolling of roads and the dismantling of those toll gates by the Obasanjo government. I reside in Ajah in Lekki and that makes me a very interested observer of the unfolding events.


Let me describe a typical day in the life of a Lekki resident. Typically, I wake up at 4:30 - 5am to help my wife in preparing our three kids for school. We must set out not later than 5 - 5:30am in order to beat the most horrendous traffic jam ever witnessed on earth. This is so that our kids could reach their school before 8am and my wife and I could reach our places of work before 8am. If we leave anytime beyond 5:30am, then we are guaranteed reaching our children's school and our places of work later than 9am!
Living in Lekki was recently eased with the expansion of the first roundabout and also the other works like the Mobil bridge, which used to be very chaotic. In fact, those two works - the expansion of the roundabout and also the Mobil bridge - may have eased traffic flow by as much as 50 percent. Now I don't have to wake up as early as 5am. If I leave my house by 6am or 6:30am, I'll be on Victoria Island by 7:00 or latest 7:30am. We are starting to live as normal a life as one can get in Nigeria.


I don't support the protesters, and their protests don't necessarily represent the views of the majority of the people who live in that axis. I challenge people to talk with other residents who live in Lekki, who may not be linked to politicking. They will tell you that what they want is development, whether it comes from the government or from private investors. With government's long history of incompetence and inability to complete projects, I submit that more facilities be concessioned to private developers.


Yes, let's give the private sector bigger roles in managing the economy, and if it is possible, concession governance to the private sector. That way, we will know what our monies are being used for, and be able to challenge the operators to deliver more. How many of the so-called demonstrators, for instance, know what their tax (that is if they pay any tax at all) is being used for? How many Nigerians look at the annual budgets of their local councils where they reside, of their state government, and the Federal Government, to see how the stupendous monies quoted in the budgets are applied?


The demonstrators should take a cue from the few services and facilities that Nigerians enjoy and they will realise that if they pin their hopes on government leading them to the promised land, then they will indeed be in for a long wait. What we want - we here refers to myself, my family and neighbours - is infrastructure that will help us live as near a normal life as is taken for granted in other countries. The Lekki-Epe expressway, when completed, will not only radically change the way we commute but will equally enhance the amount of quality time we will have with our loved ones. In addition, the regular visits to the mechanic as a result of the chaotic traffic and bad road will be drastically reduced, saving cost of vehicle repairs. Need I say more?

Its really heart warming to read that. Thanks.

Really looking forward to the day I will do the VGC - VI strecth in 15-20mins flat. I will surely declare asun that day.

Gents,

Any update on the work being done from 2nd to 3rd Roundabout?

Johnie,

Many thanks for the update on the Buenavista Road. Glad to see that work is still progressing. Hopefully the link to the okun Ajah road will be completed this year. The link will certainly stimulate rapid development around that axis and relieve the pressure on the Alpha beach road

I hope BRF has this on his radar screen for Next year's budget.

Keep up the good work.

Hey Johnnie,

Thanks for the updates. Goodluck Jonathan should have awarded you a GCFR for your excellent infoshare.

Anydate on the road project leading from opposite oluwanisola towards the Buenavista estate? Also, confirm the work being done by julius Berger on the alfa beach road covers just the link to the beach or includes the beach (okun Ajah) road as well?

Thanks.

Johnie,

You be oliver twist o! I beg make dem finish the road 1st and let's enjoy b4 we ask for rail. But on a serious note, your question is very reasonable and you wonder why we don't have an efficient ferry / water transport system along the lagoon from Ajah to Bonny camp.
Somebody please tell Otunba Glo to divert the money for beyonce performance at his daughters wedding to invest in the opportunity. We will say more prayers for the couple than beyonce

Whats size of plot?

Hi,

Does anyone have recent pictures of the new lekki 1 roundabout and the toll gate to share. Thanks in advance.

Checked LCC's website and there is nothing there. What can I Say?