PROPERTY NEWS

Motorists plying the Lekki-Epe Expressway have been asked to exercise patience in the light of a diversion at the First Roundabout, following ongoing upgrading works in the area. They are now to make use of the Second Roundabout till next February, when the detour would be cancelled.

Managing Director, Lekki Concession Company (LCC), Mr. Opuiyo Oforiokuma, while attempting to allay the fears of residents, motorists and other road users a week ago in Lagos, said the whole essence of the diversion was to create a bigger roundabout.

According to him, the roundabout overhaul was informed by the need to improve traffic flow, ease bottleneck and ensure that better facilities were in place.

He said that, on completion, the new First Roundabout would be bigger, encompass more lanes, enable a better controlled left turn into Lekki Phase One, while there would be bus lay-bye, designated crossing points for pedestrian and signaled intersection.

While noting that 85,000 vehicles plied the road on a daily basis, Oforiokuma said that the first stage was to move the traffic to the Northern end of the roundabout, and later to the Southern edge before redirecting to the centre.

He stressed that LCC had introduced patrol officers to assist road users, describing the venture as a new service designed to help road users in distress and to identify trouble spots.

"Already 120 cases that required assistance were given in the last three weeks. We have already put in place measures like signs telling people to use second roundabout," he added.

The delay experienced so far on the project, he said, was due to the PCHN infrastructure that is yet to be relocated, adding that the authorities were addressing the issue.

He said, "The government has mobilised the PCHN to remove the infrastructure in almost 13 kilometres. In fact, the government should be commended for paying for the removal of the infrastructure. Also, entire removal of the PCHN infrastructure is ongoing in Lekki."

He allayed the fear of the management of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) and Chevron, saying the project would not disrupt their activities.

"Nobody will touch NCF and, in a place where we have any cause to remove any plant, it shall be replaced. Also, Chevron will not be affected because we also believe in supporting the environment," he said.

The LCC boss went on, "We will deliver the project as scheduled barring the controllable and uncontrollable issues. It won’t be stalled because we have already secured international funding backed by banks like First Bank, Zenith Bank, Fidelity Bank, Diamond and Stanbic/IBTC Bank.".

The Lekki-Epe Expressway was concessioned to LCC by the Lagos State Government on 30-year Public Private Partnership agreement. The project is estimated to gulp N50 billion and LCC will recover the funds principally through charging tolls via toll plazas in different locations on the route between Lekki Roundabout and Eleko Beach Junction.

The first phase of the project encompasses the expansion and upgrading of 49.9-kilometre of the Ozumba Mbadiwe/lekki Road. The second comprises the construction of the 20-kilometre Coastal Road plus option to do other bypasses.

The LCC managing director said construction Falomo to Oceanic Bank complex had reached 100 percent completion, while work was still in progress at the Falomo Bridge ramp.

He added the expansion to Exxon Mobil was 100 percent completed, while construction of the first toll plaza by Oniru Estate had reached 85 percent completion, and that work was in progress at the second and third toll plazas located at Chevron/Eleganza and Pan Africa University respectively. The first toll plaza will feature 22 lanes.

On completion of the entire road project, Oforiokuma said the project would allow convenience, improve journey times, reduce wear and tear on motor vehicles, reduce fuel consumption by road users, ensure safety and security, allow better street lighting and reduce risk of "go slow robbery."