‘’Why We Want Lekki-Epe Expressway Concession Deal Reviewed’’

As a regular tax payer in lagos lekki resident to be precise. The only social amenity i can boast of
enjoying the is heavy traffic on uncompleted road;that is what i used almost everyday.After deducting 6,333 naira from my hard earn salary every month and still force it against my wish to pay for using the road which you claim in your bogus and self esteem speeches are built with tax payers money. Fear GOD.LOST VOTE.

After reading your comments to Fashola Ahmed, i am now convinced that you are not only ill-informed but also a total maniac and certified idiot!

1. What are the principles guiding tolling in the countries you mentioned???

2. Did you also notice that western governments do much more for their people than providing toll gates on existing roads without viable alternatives?

3. and if we must toll, should we apply ridiculous and un-affordable rates? Was the earning power of the mostly poor and average families/communities in this axis considered?

4. How can Oniru Market road, a tiny one that runs through a residential estate, serve as an alternative route

5. As Mr Anonymous said, the blame goes all to LASG and not LCC, for being a thoughtless and insensitive government whose only aim is to make indecent gains at the expense of the impoverished masses.

6. What exactly has tinubu done to be called a great leader? Does senseless corruption make you great? And BRF needs to shake himself loose of the shackles that the great corruptor has around him.

No need to go on. If you have half the sense God gave to goats you would have gotten the point, though i doubt that very much.

Joe,you are not only Tinubu's errand boy but a very insincere and dishonest person. Just like the king of the boys, Tinubu, you are also feeding fat on the sweet of Lagosians my milking them dry in all its ramifications. Tinubu, a very greedy and highly corrupt person is not only behind the LCC but is behind every dirty deal in Lagos. The question is, Are you people in ACN (ALLIANCE FOR CORRUPT NIGERIANS) not even worse than your partner in corruption, the PDP. Continue in your evil ways as one day will be one day soon

Tinubu - non Lagosian
Aregbesola - non indigine
Igbokwe - non indigine

There ins no iota of allegiance on their part. Its a pity

It is not a new thing that most of the people we look up to, to defend us turn around to antagonise us when they are at the other side.I used to read about Joe Igbokwe in the Tempo Magazine ot those days. He is very daring and bold. But nowadays, he is no longer bold because he has tasted sweet things in the office as government spokesman. Otherwise he would carried out a thorough investigation and interview few average people in Lekki community before defending the state government. He should resign instead of defending the indefensible. I hate the way the state government is playing politics with the wellbeing of the people he they sworn to uplifted. No single functioning social amenities can be traced . The water corporation they built, they are waiting for people to buy it after paying our taxes. Lagos state government does not do anything for the people of lekki free. 2011 will soon be here and we will know who has the power, the representative of the people or the people.

Mr.Joey..

So u got to Lagos in 1985? Waoh.... U r still wet behind the ears.

Please as the spokesman for ACN in Lagos, kindly answer the numerous questions been put across to you on this platform..

Your postulation on Tinubu been a Leader is blatant LIE..YOU KNOW HE IS NOTHING BUT AN OPPORTUNIST..who has, through cunning and greed amassed stupendous moni & influence by pulling the sheet over our eyes for 8 years..

No doubt, he made some landmark achievements in Lagos and set the tone for Bros Fashola to follow...

But.......

He helped himself to the till... MASSIVELY ..

ALL I NEED YOU TO DO IS ANSWER "WHY LEKKI-EPE EXPRESSWAY IS BEING TOLLED AND NOT BADAGRY EXPRESSWAY" ?????

I BELIEVE IF THE STATE NEEDS TO FREE FUNDS IT SHOULD APPLY THE SAME TREATMENT "GIFT" TO THE BADAGRY AXIS.

DONT U THINK SO?

U SOUND INTELLIGENT, THAT MUST HAVE BEEN THE REASON WHY YOU WERE APPOINTED AS THE SPOKESMAN FOR ACN IN LAGOS...

THAT MEANS YOU MUST HAVE INSIDE INFO. THAT WE OUTSIDE DONT KNOW ABOUT..

FROM YOUR STAND POINT..I CAN SEE WHY THIS COUNTRY IS BEING MESSED UP...BAD ADVISERS THAT ARE ONLY AFTER THE PORRIDGE THEY CAN EAT....

LET THE STATE GOVT SHOW SOME BALLS BY ADDRESSING THE GRIEVANCES OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS AXIS..

HOW MANY ROADS HAVE THE GOVT TARRED, REHABILITATED IN THIS AXIS, AND A HOST OF OTHER ISSUES...

INSTEAD OF ADDRESSING THESE ISSUES, MOUTH PIECES LIKE YOU ARE BUSY DEFENDING A BAD PRODUCT..

NO BODY WILL KNOCK A GOOD THING ESPECIALLY A MAJOR ROAD LIKE THIS, BUT THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION IN ITS MAD RUSH TO ENRICH ITSELF.. LIKE A KID IN A CANDY STORE..DECIDED TO THROW SENSE AWAY AND PANT AFTER FILTHY LUCRE.

JUST ANSWER MY QUESTION "WHY NOT EXTENT THIS 'GIFT' AS YOU KEEP SAYING, TO THE BADAGRY AXIS?"

OR THEY ARE PROTECTING SOME VESTED INTERESTS IN THAT AREA?

Is Joe Igbokwe a blind idiot or foolish vagabond near or around the corridor of power?

Can this man actually hear himself or understand the interpretation of his written opinion/position?

I reminded Joe in response to his narrative of the agony he passed through on his journey through Lagos-Ibadan expressway that he has the alternative of going by air transport. Joe has not answered or confirmed what alternative we have to the tolled Lekki-Epe road.

Just like his bedfellow Mr.R, he has also not answered why LASG decided to toll Lekki-Epe and not Badagry. He has also not answered what LASG is doing with the stupendous amount of taxes from residents/business around the Lekki-Epe axis.

Rather he goes ranting how one should pay the tolls on the Lekki-Epe road and drive through Badagry expressway and not have to pay any tolls. Just like his bedfellow similarly suggested i relocate from Lagos when i questioned the huge amount i pay for tax without any iota of social service provided by the LASG.

His suggestion that LASG decided to PPP/Toll Lekki-Epe in order to free funds for other pressing government projects stands reasoning/truth on its head. Which is wiser and more sensible? Executing the more expensive and farming out the cheaper?

Mr. Joe and all others of your type, i'll tell you what i believe about this Lekki-Epe road tolling.

1. The Lekki-Epe road was handed over to LCC to be tolled just because the powers that be, believe or are of the opinion that the people and residents of this axis are the most exploitible in the whole of Lagos State with little or no political or social repercussion or back-lash anticipated.

2. The Badagry road project will cost the LASG at least two and a half times what the Lekki-Epe expansion will cost.

3. Personal and selfish interests were the basis of the PPP/Tolling arrangement for this Lekki-Epe road expansion project.

4. Joe Igbokwe and Mr.R, most likely do not pay taxes or best grossly underpay.

5. Joe Igbokwe and Mr. R are the two most parasitic pathetic idiots Nigerians or the world over could possibly come across.

FEAR GOD AND REPENT BECAUSE JUDGEMENT DAY SHALL SURELY COME.

It's sad how elected public officers put their integrity aside to defend the deceit and falsehood, just for their jobs. Mr. Joe was an adorable LASG official until I staRted reading his vehement defence, on their site, of the anomaly being peretrated by Asiwaju on the concession of Lekki-Epe Expway.
Can Mr. Joe Igbokwe answer this simple question? WHO OWNS LEKKI CONCESSION COMPANY (LCC)?
It is an open secret that LCC is owned by Asiwaju. Who is foolng who? You better stop this jagged defense of a plunderng of the people so that The Almighty God will not visit His wrath on you and your generation when His judgement suddenly comes, on these veiled enemies of the masses, like a thief in the night.A word is enough for the wise.

paying tolls on a new road is not a problem for anyone,even paying tolls on this lekki express road would not have generated this much noise if the alternate route had been provided.Don't compare Lagos to any asian,european or american city.Lagos provides next to zero public service,and as per lekki its even worse than zero,I will actually say negative service,this implies that the lekki residents are being bled.
When a business is expriencesing a downturn,the first thing they do is save money,reduce expenditure and seek other ways of earning money.Lagos has to find a way to reduce their current expenditure,the ridiculous pension package given to tinubu is not sustainable.Our doctors are on strike,our lectures would soon follow suit.I am being forced to comment here because of the rubbish being peddled by Joe and his bedmate Mr realistic.We are not stupid and certainly not blind.We are only hoping that come election day we be allowed to make our votes count,there are more competent people than the jokers we have now,and i am not a pdp supporter.

This is for Fashola Ahmed.Tolls on Lekki-Epe way is not for only those living in that axis alone, it is for everybody living in lagos and those who do not reside in lagos but have one or two things to do in that area.One day Fashola may have one or two things to do in Lagos- Badagry axis and he will not pay tolls to pass through there. Once again it is pertinent to remind all Lagosians that the idea of concessining came about in order to free funds for other critical projects as Lagos requires almost 50 billion US Dollars to build a world class city people like Fashola Ahmed will be proud of.Tolls gates exist in Asian countries,Americas,Europe, and in Africa.There are toll gates in Cape town, Johanessburg, Durban, Morocco, Bangladesh,Malaysia China,Isreal etc.The huge noise about Tolls on Lekki-Epe is totally unnecessary,time-wasting and uncalled for.Again let me correct the errornous impression that the Tolls is meant to punish the people in that area or to enslave them for 30 yrs. Far from it.The project was conceived to benefit all and sundry irrespective of where you live and do business in lagos and Nigeria.Asiwaju and Fashola mean well for Yoruba and Nigeria, and please do not destroy your great leaders. Other Nigerians from other parts of Nigeria are busy looking for the likes of these two great men in their domain but cannot find them. please do not throw your cap away as madman will take it and use it forever. l have been in lagos since 1985 and l know what lam talking about.

Thank God U got back safely.... U you were not kidnapped or roasted in a ghastly accident like countless others...

U FAIL MISERABLY in your thinking...

I now see how & why this great country has been stunted by mediocre s like you around the government...

The grouse of commentators like me on the Lekki-Epe Axis is not about the expansion, but on the hardship this whole shady deal by yur paymaster- tinubu will bring.

No government presence of any sort...no pipe borne water from Lekki all the way to Epe... i cant think of any think worthwhile from the government in this area EXCEPT THIS GIFT OF A ROAD BEING RAMMED DOWN OU COLLECTIVE THROATS

Why dont you relocate to this axis if as you said the deal is good for lagos...

Or

Let LASG build a toll as a gift to yur area, so as you drive out and come in, you drop a few token for maybe LCC as you commute ....

How will that feel?

As well You can ADVISE ACN to relocate their chieftains including the Governor to the Lekki-Epe axis and partake in the "GIFT".....

Mr. Joey......Can you please tell us why Badagry ten lane is devoid of tolling....?

But

Lekki_Epe Expressway gets a "GIFT"

Maybe a Nuclear induced earthquake will jolt your brain to respond...

May your breed of confused advisers/spokesman be silenced ....

I think when a man starts brimming with different laudable ideas and initiatives, he will get to a point he will quickly implement one without thinking through very well. Thereafter, he is bound by ego andother difficulties he has put himself in to admit the truth. i am very sure Gov Fashola would not have taken same decision on conceeding the Lekki/Epe Road if he had the benefit of the points raised in opposing the deal. Most of us were also caught in the euphoria of Fashola's good work when the concessioning deal started than to see all what we are seeing now.

However, it takes strength to admit an error and effect a change. One day, posterity will judge the strength of Gov Fashola on this.

SR, maybe you folks can take this up on our behalf to BRF since Joe Igbokwe & Mr. R, have failed to provide an answer.

My basic maths tells me that the cost of the Badagry ten lane expressway will more than dwarf the cost of the Lekki-Epe three lane road expansion.

Therefore, why has BRF/LASG decided to fund the Badagry expressway but rather handed the Lekki-Epe road to LCC to toll/manage?????

I honestly cannot believe that people like the two of you still exist.

It is one thing to identify with a cause, it is another to keep defending that cause even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
The only good thing about the Lekki-Epe expressway is the stretch of road between Law School & Mobil.
From that point on, the quality of construction seems to degenerate.

Why should LCC toll a three lane road when they only added an additional lane?

That is the question that needs urgent answers!

why don't we all educate ourselves about the project before jumping to conclusions?

No need to get emotional on this.One of the biggest problems existing in our society today is knowing there is a problem and revolving round the problem rather than moving forward. This the Lagos state Govt. has done but unfortunately some people have decided not to recognise with progress.I reside along the axis and this was my stance before i became clear about the project and it's operations. I suggest we all take time to find facts and educate ourselves before jumping to conclusion

The downfall of ACN in Lagos is imminent if Fashola continues to "siddon look" and allow Tinubu and his band of criminals and parasitic looters continue to dictate to him. How on earth am i expected to just pay toll THREE TIMES between Victoria Island and Sangotedo when i pay my taxes and still generate my own electricity, pay for my own security, and generate my own water supply??? My colleagues in other parts of Lagos don't pay toll, why should our own be different in Lekki/Epe axis. WE SHALL NOT PAY A KOBO TO THOSE CRIMINALS. THEY SHOULD BE MADE TO UNDERSTAND THAT

Mr. Joe Igbokwe, we've being waiting forever for you and your paymasters to tell us why handover Lekki-Epe to LCC and not Badagry ten lane road as well.

I've said it over and over again, charity begins at home. After we hold LASG accountable and responsible to it's citizens then we step it up to the federal level.

For one, i voted ACN and not PDP in Lagos or Federal elections, i pay my taxes to Lagos state government, the companies situated along the Lekki-Epe corridor pay their taxes to LASG and not federal government. LASG is elected to work for the Lagos citizens and not the citizens becoming a milking cow for people like you and your paymasters.

I'm not exonerating the FGN over the Lagos-Ibadan road because even if i pay my taxes to LASG, the FGN from the federal revenues have a responsibility for that and other such roads all over the country and should be held accountable.

But remove the log in your eyes before you remove the speck in your brothers eye. On the length of time you spent/wasted commutting to/from Nnewi through the Lagos-Ibadan, think for a moment. At least you have an option to go by air, the cost/benefit of this alternative is not the subject of this discussion.

Please if you may answer us here, what is the alternative for Lagosians on the Lekki-Epe environs if we do not want to use the tolled road on Lekki-Epe?

I put it to you, that the Badagry 10 lane road would cost more than the Lekki-Epe expansion. So why handover/toll Lekki-Epe but the Lagos state government decided to fund the Badagry 10 lane expressway?????

Don't you think handing over and tolling Badagry 10 lane road to LCC is better for Lagos???

Gentlemen,lam waiting patiently for those who will rebuild Lagos-lbadan expressway and Shagamu-Benin expressway and collect tolls from me.l left lagos last Wednesday,Oct 6 2010 by 6:30am and got Nnewi by 7pm ajourney that would have taken 5hrs. Others who travelled that day and every other day since the past 5yrs.I suffered the same fate when coming back on Saturday Oct 9 2010. Those who have not used that axis in the last 5yrs do not understand Nigeria.If it is possible l would have asked LCC to transfer this wonderful road to Lagos-lbadan or Shagamu -Benin highways.According to Igbo adage,those who have buttock do not know how to sit with it.PLEASE PUT ON YOUR THINKING CAPS,LEKKI-EPE CONCCESSION IS GOOD FOR LAGOS.

Fashola has done wonderfully well but taxing road-users in this manner is highly unacceptable. Some argued that it was LCC that paid for the road. This makes no difference at all. let Govt. pay LCC off from the tax generated from the residents and companies in this area. This will be unfair to the people living around this area. What then is the Govt using taxes collected from the companies and people living in this area for? To develop Yaba, surulere or Badagry roads? Robbing Peter to pay Paul? We denounce this in its entirety.

The Lekki-Epe road toll gate is an absolute necessity, because Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu needs to use it, in cementing his stranglehold on the LSG government and the unsuspecting masses (who will forever continue to be taken for a ride by the so called stakeholders). So for the next 30 years, one of the richest leeches to come out of that axis will continue to rake in funds from this insensitive toll only established in the primary aim of ensuring that in a corrupt Nigeria, himself, immediate family and close associates will be financially protected against an unpredictable future. It's my opinion that under his regime, Lagos state with him at the helm of affairs had risen enough funds to revamp a good percentage of its dilapidated and decayed infrastructures. But nothing tangible was done in most cases. In developed countries existing road networks are never offered in PPP initiatives, unless it is an entirely new infrastructural development. In these situations all proposals are made public early in the initial planning stages as to address objections to the proposals and find solutions. I believe in the case of Lekki-Epe road resurfacing (and the caveat rouge toll gate)even the residents of the Lekki weren't carried along. Maybe they would have requested that it be done with the utilization of Tax payers' money and paid for once and for all. But in hindsight it would obviously mean that for once, the interest of the masses had superceded that of the stakeholders and that there would be no 30 years of payment to a cabal of criminals who were very successful at rigging elections with area-boys whenever the need had arisen. Finally, although I had earlier sighted 30 years in my observations, with the greed of Nigerians, I foresee the Lagos local airport situation in reality, a situation of continuous toll payments long after the cost of the road has been realized.

to Mr. Joe Igbokwe

Europe is not a country, it's a continent darling.

Hello Mr Realistic -

Lets not get unuely emotional about this Lekki-Epe Expressway. In my mind LCC is not the issue rather all our attention should be on LASG.

As the last write alluded, there has been so much hush hush on the Lekki-Epe expressway. There is little or no information on the actual details of the contract. I am wondering if the people are not entitled to know the details of the contract? The letter from LCC in my mind is one sided? besides LCC is a contractor to Lagos state - It would be interesting to know what constitutes non performace on the contract and the role of LASG nay the state ministry of works in detemining standards.

Now to the main issue?

1 - To Toll or Not to Toll.
2 - If Tolls, how much is realistic
3 - Social cost & Alternatives
4 - Poor project execution practices.

To Toll/Not to Toll:

LASG & Fashola is not a government for Alimosho, once elected, the governor is responsible to the whole state. Per your e-mail, it appears the government is basically punishing Lekki- axis for being pro PDP. I know this is not the case because of the significant investment being made ar the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

Tolls are a veritable means to fund ifrastructure development ( via a concession). However, it appears that in the case, there was insufficient stakeholder engagement before the project was finalized. No alternatives were discussed - You may want to consider that the Lekki zone is currently not covered by any planned government mass transit scheme (BRT nor Train)

In concessions, the Tolls are basically of 2 types. Real Tolls or Shadow Tolls. real tolling involves making collections directly from the users while shadow tolls is partially or wholly covered by the contracting authority ( LASG in this case). In this case because of public opposition to this project, i will suggest that LASG implements a shadow toll system with the price determination mechanism transparent to the public.

How Much Toll?

Toll determination should be such that the concession is able to recieve a realistic return on investment for the project.

As it where, without an understanding of the contract basis, no one can hazard a guess of the contract cost. But a veritable system is that the government should implement a shadow toll system whereby a significant portion of the toll is offset by the government and a remedial toll is charged the people.

Social Cost & Alternatives:

- what is the impact on the indeginous communities and low income families living in the Lekki axis? Lekki is not about the bourgeois. You have a signifcant population of low-middle income families living in this axis.

- what is the cost of fencing off businesses on the road.
- What is the cost of 4-6hrs traffic since Nov 2006 when this project commenced.
- How do you toll a road without a viable alternative.
- Would it have been possible to implement an expressway with the following

* 2 lane outer free road
* 2 lane Toll way in the middle

This option basically gives users the option of taking a free road or a faster toll road for a fee.

There are more alternatives to the simple tolling structure being proposed but which I think were not investigated.

You may take time to read the study at the attached link http://www.utexas.edu/research/ctr/pdf_reports/0_5020_P2.pdf

Poor Project Execution Practices

This is were LCC is failing completely. I kept thinking to myself why heavy construction activities have been focused in the heart of the rainy season? Why it has not been possible to grade the oniru by-pass as a viable alternative during construction ( In the dry season).

Also, I still cannot understand why the hours of 9pm-5am cannot be utilized as main construction period. This will minimize the suffering of the people as there are health consequences from staying in traffic for 6 hours or having to wake up at 4am daily to beat the traffic. The repurcussion would be visited on the state due to non-resident or absent parents.

In my mind, the government has not been clear on the following:

1. Why a toll road was chosen by LASG for the lekki-Epe expressway.

2. Why an expansion on an existing road was the preferred choice.

3. Why the contractor selection was via negotiated process.

4. How LCC & Hitech, both with No or poor track records emerged as preferred parties.

A detailed and structured response is imperetive from LASG, otherwise the Lekki-Toll Road Project may be jeopardized.

In the absence of factual information, rumour thrives.

I'm not as priveledged as "Mr. R", who has inside information and the staunt defender of the LASG/BRF's actions and inactions. I therefore, logged on to the official LASG website hoping to convince myself on the cogent reasons why LASG will opted for a PPP/tolling on the expanded Lekki-Epe expressway BUT decided to SOLE fund the ten lane Badagry expressway project.

I regret to announce that I did not find any information on the key projects including this Lekki-Epe road expansion. In this age and time, I for one cannot be hood-winked by any manner of opinion or doctrine (this includes SR responders, Sanni, LASG, BRF and including apostle R). That's why I was searching to know the LASG's basis for this expansion/tolling. I want to test their facts/decision through a rationale reasoning and convince myself that this tolling is the best for this road and not Badagry because we cannot believe look line and sinker whatever we are told or pushed down our throat as the best for us.

Afterall, the apologist "Mr. R", instead of answering this same question rather suggested that I cannot question the decision of BRF to endorse this tolling because BRF was overwhemingly voted for by the Lagos State electorate and I could not thus be wiser. Hey!!! My response; if the the people's votes truly counted, then my vote and my wife's vote were amongst those that ENSURED victory for BRF. That in itself cannot turn me to a zombie.

Because we all voted for him does not mean that if he turns around and tells us to jump into the lagoon, we should the least question, WHY????

Much said, if the Lekki-Epe expansion costs approximately N55B (according to Anonymous), then Badagry expressway should cost approximately N138B by simple arithmetics, assumming equal road distance and quality. Let's say the Badagry quality will be half that of Lekki-Epe as implied by apostle "Mr. R" again in his previous attempt on justifying the tolling. I paraphrase in a quote "because of the first class quality of road being envisaged by the LASG for the axis, it neeeded to adopt PPP/tolling as it can not afford the cost"

My point is, even if the quality of Badagry road is halved, it will still be costlier than the Lekki-Epe road expansion project.

So why is LASG sole funding a non-tolled Badagry expressway to the tune of approximately N69B but opting for a PPP/tolling of Lekki-Epe expressway that costs LASG less to construct, approximately N55B.

This question is like an open wound, only TRUTH can HEAL it.

N/B: Before you leave the substance of the post and attack/discredit the figures used for analysis, be reminded that figures are only used for relative analogy and comparison only.

Boy!
Need I mention how good and excited I feel at your very decent riposte? Thank you ever so much as this is the type of dialogue I have preached here this long. Some gentleman, indeed.
But as for 'Cement Mixer' who thinks he can cement our mouths- Mba o, i no go happen. You aint gonna seal my lips chap and as Fela put it so long ago, O LE PANU MI DE.
Now to serious business.
You asked some absolutely intelligent questions but fortunately, you are now in a position to read the letter from the LCC which , coincidentally,I succeeded, at last, in posting here yesterday. Please do me a favour, read that very timely, indeed, opportuned, letter and you get answers to your posers.
But then you also talked about costs.
I shall use roads and schools to make the distinction between the ACN and the PDP; the first, the party promoting the Lekki road and the other, the party doing its damn-dest thro' the likes of Sanmi to introduce all manner of distraction.
Now, you may not know this. But the main problem between Obasanjo and governor Bisi Akande of Osun state then was that OBJ's govt was building roads at three times the Akande cost and schools under the UBE programme at about 10 times the price Akande was paying, even in Osun state. The PDP and its leaders could not understand why a politician would not steal and thus further under-develop the country.
That is similar to what is happening here. Happily, I hope that like me, you are also around here. Go right back to Ozumba Mbadiwe where this road starts and look at the quality of what we are talking about. Tell me if you have ever seen anything comparable to this anywhere around here. This project as you know is by a private company which has 30 years to recoup, in little pennies, the humonguous amount of money it is sinking into it.Do you think the company can go out there to build a road that will degrade even in twenty five years thus shortchanging itself by 5 years?
No my brother. This is a road in no way inferior to anything you will get anywhere under the sun with first class services etc. Maintainance, even if not for you and I and singly for the sake of recouping their investment, cannot be anything other than topgrade. Besides, you and I are dealing here with a serious corporate organisation that is guided by the civilised world's best practices mantra. One of the problem with this project therefore is that LCC is not permitted by this standaerd to, nor will it ever give bribes. I suspect that many of these cheerleaders would have loved to be called in and settled in the popular Nigerian fashion. Sorry folks.
You also talked about LCC starting off on low tariffs and suddenly increasing it. No serious private company can operate on such low morals. Increases to prices may come regarding any commodity but it will not be that off the cuff. No responsible company will do that and as I ve said, LCC is responsible.
Finally this ever present question which when answered those asking can not even recognise it. Am often asked why this road only is being tariffed thereby coming with the inherent inference of political bias.
Nothing, nothing, I repeat can be more asinine.
Which of you will give your enemy your very best shirt, to go that pedestrian? We are talking here of a first class road, and all you think is that the Fashola govt will be stupid enough to leave out the ALIMOSHO LOCAL GOVT AREA where it has its biggest haul of votes to come and give it to us here where Lagos PDP has its one miserable local government.
How exactly do you sound and look with that type of illogicality?
Come on guys, let's do this the more!
Let us talk talk; not war war.
Thanks all.

Realistic, we commend and salute Governor Fashola for what he has been able to do within a short time, but we cannot overlook the criminal and parasitic tendencies of a cabal in Lagos headed by Brother Yekini which is really the brain behind this evil idea of tolling our Lekki-Epe express road. Isn't it a shame that you have up till now not been able to answer the simple question on why the Lekki-Epe Express Way has been singled out for tolling of all the roads in Lagos. Is it not a shame that the coastal road is now no better than a 'desert route' where vehicles belonging to hapless lagosians sink daily because they are trying to avoid the shame and disorderliness along the Lekki-Epe Expressway. Ism't it a shame that the evil cabal keeps amassing ill-gotten wealth and flaunting same in our faces like the Oriental Hotel in Lekki, the Royal Gardes Estate in Ajah etc. Realistic, I think you need to keep quiet for once on this issue

Mr. Realistic -

Our point exactly is that If Fashola can execute wonderful (road0 projects in other parts of Lagos without implementing tolls, then why is the Lekki-Epe expressway different?

I am still doing my anlaysis but at N 55 Billion (~$ 400 Million), it is costing slightly over N 1 billion per Km ( approximatley $7 million per Km) without overhead bridges.

Scope of work:
- Road resurfacing
- Addtional 2 lanes
- 3 Toll Plaza
- Road maintenance and lighting

Similar projects have cost far less than this and i am still working out the difference.

The Posers include:

- project execution plan? why do we have to build roads in the rainy season without adequate plans to handle the effects thereoff?
- is not possible to create a temporary road to alleviate the suffering of the masses on this single artery
- Why didn't LCC commence the 20Km scheme 2 ahead of the expansion to create a means of diverting traffic while this construction is on-going.

- Is it possible to defer construction works to between the hours of 9pm - 5am?

In summary, without a competitive bidding process it is unlikely to undestand what other options were available.....cost is not always the decider in similar projects.

On tariff/tolls, again this is a black box. The Lagos state government has not revealed much on the mechanism - Who is to say that LCC cannot announce a N50 tariff and later increase to N300.

I think a greater openness is required of government...

This is my addtional 2 cents

'The young business men of Lagos state are all complaining that they are been eased out of the state government contractual activities . Let us look at all the juicy contracts in Lagos state DR Tunji Olowolafe name rings around 70% OF the deals.''

Now they are back: these buccaneers, both within and outside of ACN who are forever belly-aching because Fashola no longer allows business as usual. Apparently MR ANONYMOUS is a tale-bearer for the true face or what do they call it, of Lagos.
I advise them to mentally forget about the Lekki toll road which no jupiter can tamper with for now and rush to see the wonders BRF has succeeded in making of the Lagos State Health Sector. Go to the LASUCOM - Lagos state university College of Medicine, Ikeja, and see wonders; hurry to its Gbadaga Annex where in less than eighteen month from now we would be having Open Heart surgeries and behold what a focussed governor can do partnering with dedicated infrastructure procurers.In any of these two places, and especially at the BTDiagnostics, you 'll need be told you are not somewhere in America or Europe.
They keep talking of a no 1 contractor but not for a moment would they talk of these peoples' massive and totally innovative contributions unlike their other political jobbers.
For those of you - do they ever vote self - harrassing Fashola with elections, I advise you try PDP for size and see if you will not run out of Lagos.
Where in the whole federation has the PDP done anything worthwhile? Is it a federal govt of 11 years under whose jurisdiction our entire road network has totally collapsed with roads to various places breaking up in two? Where in hell is the federal govt concessionaire on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway? Is it power we are to talk about or how they ruined Ports Authority and spent billions celebrating a so-called fifty years just so they can chop money? I challenge you do-gooders, vote PDP in Lagos in the next election and see outright armed robbers in govt offices. Who of them in that party would compare with a Fashola? By the way which of them is even educated by the way?
THE lEKKI-ePE ROAD Project, thank God for real good Nigerians has generated a lot of press interest in the last two months and I sure have read a lot of that.
Almost to the last article, they have all been very supportive of the project; seeing it as a trail-blazer which is bound to open up the entire Lekki area with particular emphasis on the Lekki Export FreeZone with which Lagos will soon rank with the likes of Dubai where these PDP rogues in public offices who loot our treasury carry their ill-gotten money.
While the likes of Fashola have sleepless nights with his development partners these ones sit on SR spewing forth stupid innanities.
Is Jimoh Ibrahim and so many other decent folks not here with us? When did you see them carrying placards like you or your patron Sanni? Do you think if the Lekki toll road were a bad project people like that with sufficient clout would not have moved against it unlike you the flotsam and jetsam who permit yourselves to be used and abused for pittance?Although, and I must tell you this, it is common knowledge that those of our members who Sanmi and co have succeeded in bamboozing intend to stage another demonstration any time soon,they will only labour in vain because it will be the height of foolishness to do that when the state govt panel on the issue is currently sitting. At least those of you who are not politicians or are being used by them should expect that effort to bear good fruits. But then elections are already here and a lot of people can no longer see clearly.
There's nothing I 've not done trying to moderate discussions on this matter but some still come back rude as ever. Why must you always descend so low when we can better understand ourselves in decent language.
Did traffic gridlock start on this road today or will it be the first on which Nigerians will pay tolls?
I know you 'd rather pay nothing and see the road degrade in a few years down the line but unluckily for you that is not the legacy either BRF or LCC want to leave for posterity. So, poor folks, you 're losers.
This project will go on, will be completed and be operated to the satisfaction of good Nigerians and to the eternal glory of God. Say Amen somebody.

Since coming across this in a newspaper, I have thrice forwarded it here without it appearing.
Guess I been making some mistake though.
Here it is again.

From: Lekki Concession Company
To: Adeniyi Karunwi ; okiti@businessdayonline.com
Cc: mail@businessdayonline.com ; Info; editor@pointblanknews.com ; articles@saharareporters.com
Sent: Thu Sep 30 18:29:09 2010
Subject: RE: OPEN LETTER TO THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE - LEKKI-EPE EXPRESSWAY

Dear Mr Karunwi,

Thank-you for sending us a copy of the "Open Letter to The Executive Governor of Lagos State". We confirm that we have previously seen a copy of this letter published in a local newspaper.

While we have much empathy for the inconvenience that road users are experiencing on Lekki-Epe Expressway while road works are ongoing there, Lekki Concession Company ("LCC") disagrees with the manner in which this Open Letter characterizes either our intentions or our approach to executing the works. We consider the Open Letter to be unfair and misleading. Evidently, the authors of the Open Letter, and perhaps your good self in circulating it widely to the press, may either not understand where responsibilities lie in the execution of the project or may be indifferent to these facts. We are therefore seizing this opportunity to deal with various aspects of the misinformation and misunderstandings that we consider are contained in the Open Letter and in your actions:

1) The insinuation that "LCC in concert with Hitech is deliberately inflicting pain and discomfort to the regular road users in order to appear as Liberators when the work is complete" is most unfortunate and frankly speaking, far-fetched.

2) LCC is committed to continuous improvement, and consistently looks for new ways to execute the project more efficiently and effectively, and to minimize the inconvenience caused to road users. A project such as the ongoing rehabilitation and upgrade of Lekki-Epe Expressway involves a series of sequential, parallel, and interlinked activities. This often requires parties other than LCC to undertake certain actions so that LCC or our Contractor, Hitech, can do our work effectively and efficiently. LCC is often confronted with situations where other parties involved in executing the project do not undertake their required activities on time or in the manner required, with consequent adverse effects on how the project progresses. LCC cannot be held responsible for this.

3) We are currently in the rainy season, which is a period where road works throughout Nigeria considerably slow down or are suspended completely. This is compounded by the impact of flooding caused by non-existent or inefficient drainage systems. Water eating away at the road substructure is a key cause of road failure, which is why more potholes appear on Nigerian roads during the rainy season than is evident during the dry season. Key materials used in road repairs, for example asphalt, are moisture-dependent. This means that there are constraints on what can be done while the rains and humidity levels are high. LCC has issued standing instructions to our Contractor, Hitech, to effect repairs of potholed and bad sections of the road, and can confirm that this work is indeed ongoing and being undertaken as quickly as weather and other conditions permit.

4) Under the terms of our Concession Agreement with Lagos State Government, LCC's scope of contractual responsibility is for road works within the approved right-of-way. The construction of access and feeder roads via which road users could bypass zones of heavy construction falls outside LCC's scope of responsibility. Road users are therefore driving daily through a zone of heavy construction, pursuant to which there is likely to be some inconvenience suffered while the road works are ongoing.

5) Traffic management is by law the responsibility of LASTMA and the Nigeria Police. LCC supports these organizations with some resources and equipment to assist them do their work more effectively, and coordinates activities relating to the road works with them.

6) LCC cannot be held responsible for all obstacles that impede traffic flow on the road, which obstacles are sometimes caused by bad and illegal driving manoeuvres by some road users. We can confirm, however, that LCC already has operational procedures in place that today help to improve traffic flow along the Lekki-Epe Expressway. Examples of this are our 24/7 Incident Management Service and suite of Convenience Services, via which route patrols, security patrols, breakdown-recovery assistance, ambulance services, and toll-free customer service helpline, have successfully been provided, and in excess of 3,000 road users in distress assisted. By regularly removing broken-down vehicles and other obstacles from the expressway, and by helping to quickly clear accident scenes, traffic flow has been enhanced.

LCC, as Concessionaire for the Lekki-Epe Expressway, is fully committed to providing high quality road infrastructure and related services to our customers. This is evidenced by the completed first section of the road, where road users are already reporting significantly reduced journey times and a better user experience than before. We are now working on further sections of the road so that similar benefits can be extended to more road users further down the Lekki-Epe Axis. We know in the meantime that the road works can cause inconvenience to road users, and therefore offer apologies whenever this is the case. We trust, however, that our customers and stakeholders will note that all the challenges on Lekki-Epe Expressway cannot be attributed to LCC as the Open Letter attempts to assert.

We ask for your understanding and patience while we strive to progress the road works as fast as conditions permit, and thank-you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

LEKKI CONCESSION COMPANY

_______________________________________

Lekki Concession Company Limited
Gr 5 H 6

This LCC projects stinks and it puts BRF in a bad light . Fair enough it was signed during Asiwaju term . Now for a project of this magnitude where are the records of competitive bidding? was due process followed ?if so how many companies bidded for the project ? was it advertised ? what are the contractual terms ?BRF is a SAN and he should be an advocate of full disclosure and transparency we the people need to know what we are paying for since we are going to be charged it is fair we have acces to the contractual agreement between the state and LCC.Why the secrecy was there consultancy fees inputed and the usual success fees associated in fraudulent transactions of this nature.
The whole thing smells of Bola Tinunbu who has an affinity and uncanny knack of structured transactions of this nature . He has become Chairman Lagos State Limited and had made Fashola the CEO. The amount of money that goes to him personaaly via the ALPHA BETA scam is not enough . He uses proxies like DR TUNJI OLOWOLAFE to who is the state number one contractor for all projects to loot Lagos State.
The young business men of Lagos state are all complaining that they are been eased out of the state government contractual activities . Let us look at all the juicy contracts in Lagos state DR Tunji Olowolafe name rings around 70% OF the deals.
I would advise the AC party not to take for granted the peoples will democracy have a way of correcting such nonsense been exhibited and the attitude of me myself and I been practiced by BOLA TINUNBU this is a warning.
The people of Lagos state will rise and once they rise you party will lose grip of Lagos state take heed and do the right thing.