Why Lekki-Epe Expressway Was Concessioned

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Why Lekki-Epe Expressway Was Concessioned – Fashola
• As he inspects Oluwole Urban Mall, Alexander (Lekki–Ikoyi) Link Bridge

Dec 31, 2009 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), on Thursday described the concessioning of the Lekki- Epe Express Way by the immediate past administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as “a ground-breaking initiative made at a difficult time in the history of Lagos State”.

Governor Fashola, who spoke to newsmen after the inspection of the Oluwole Urban Mall Project and the on-going Alexander (Lekki – Ikoyi) Link Bridge declared: “It is recognized all over the world that in public expenditure, taxpayers’ money will never be enough to enable government to deliver on all of the things that her citizens want”.

He added that the road was concessioned by the immediate past administration for the purpose of expansion adding that his administration bought into the initiative and continued with it because of the vision and the opportunities it holds for Nigeria and particularly Lagosians.

While speaking on the benefits accruing from the expansion of the Lekki-Epe Express road, Governor Fashola further explained, “The reality is that it gives us an expanded road. It also means that we will stop spending four hours on a 50 kilometre road. It means we will expend less fuel and put more money in our pockets. It means our health and stress will be better managed as we spend less time in the traffic”.

The Governor also threw more light on the tolling of the on-going Lekki – Epe Expressway saying from all considerations, the option was the best.

According to him, “the concessionaire who brings his money must earn that money back. He is not a charity organization. So that is why the toll plaza is there. He will run the toll system for a period long enough to make his money and a reasonable profit without profiteering, then the road becomes the asset of Lagos State and Lagosians”.

“Yes, it is easy to ‘say why we must pay toll going home?’. But the reality is that it is cheaper as you travel quicker instead of sitting for hours in the traffic while you expend in one hour the fuel that would have lasted you four hours. Your car depreciates, your health is endangered and your environment is also endangered by the static generation of carbon monoxide in one place with no dispersal”, the Governor said.

Governor Fashola said it is what obtains all over the world, especially “in many of the economies that Lagos is being compared with”, adding, “This is what is done in the countries that people expect us to match”.

The Governor who said most of the projects begun in 2009 would be delivered early this year, said the Alexander (Lekki – Ikoyi) Link Bridge is meant to ease traffic along the roads in Ikoyi and along the Lekki – Epe Expressway.

Governor Fashola who had earlier inspected the level of work at the Oluwole Urban Mall Project expressed satisfaction at the extent and quality of work being done there saying the Government is determined to deliver the best to the people of Lagos.

The Oluwole Urban Mall which replaces the notorious Oluwole Market, has a total floor area of 3, 881 square metres with a site area of 5, 000 square metres, four floor concrete structures with a total of 390 shops and 54 k-klamps made up of 102 shops and 240 k-klamps on the Ground Floor, 96 shops and 18 k-klamps each on the first, second and third floors.

Also present during the inspection were the Commissioners for Finance, Mr. Rotimi Oyekan, Establishment and Training, Mr. Jide Sanwo-Olu, Budget and Planning, Mr. Ben Akabueze, Justice and Attorney General, Mr. Olasupo Sasore (SAN), Science and Technology, Dr. Kadiri Hamsat, Special Adviser on Works, Engr. Ganiyu Johnson and Managing Director of Lagos Property and Development Corporation (LSDPC) Mr Biodun Oki.