Lekki Free Trade Zone: We will never allow Apapa gridlock experience —Sanwoolu

Experts opinion in Lagos today is that if crucial steps are not taken, what is playing up in Apapa in terms of infrastructure deficit, will be a child’s play with that Lagosians will witness in the Lekki-Epe axis of Lagos State in the nearest possible time, especially, the Free Trade Zone, where huge business activities is brewing up.

Although, the duo of governorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu and his Running mate, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, assured that if they were voted into office in the coming election, issue of infrastructural provision will take preeminence in their programmes.

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To start with, the present road networks leading from Sand Field, Maroko in Victoria Island, to Eleko junction, though, prides as “Lekki-Expressway”, in nothing but a glorified dualised face-me-i-face-you road, common in the neighborhood within the metropolis. So observed a Town Planner, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune, Mr. Jide Adedeji.

“Coming from Ijebu-Ode through Ito-Ikin and Ikorodu enroute Epe towards Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ), are not faring well either. Trucks, trailers and other articulated vehicles that conveying building materials to the zone in their hundreds on daily basis are having difficulties mendearing through the dilapidated roads.

“The situation has started having impacts on other road users, the environment and the communities in the affected zone, just as what residents of Apapa, Kirikiri, Ajeromi and businesses are facing in Apapa”, observed Adedeji, a Town Planner, who asked Lagos government to embark on proactive measures by  providing the necessary infrastructure and amenities.

Looking at the location, another expert in planning, Mr. James Adeyemi noted that  the peninsula, which is approximately 70 to 80 kilometres long, with an average width of 10 kilometres, currently houses several Estates, gated residential developments, agricultural farmlands, areas before it was allocated for a Free Trade Zone.

“ So, in view of the developmental projects, infrastructure and other amenities designed for the axis, such as an airport and a sea port under construction, much is expected to be done, or else, Lekki Free Trade Zone, will be another Apapa in the making”, he argued.

The proposed land use master plan for the Lekki envisages the Peninsula as a “Blue-Green Environment City”,expected to accommodate well over 3.4 million residential population and an additional non-residential population of at least 1.9 million.

Historically, the Master Plan of Lekki Free Trade Zone, covering a total area of 155 square kilometres at the easternmost end of the peninsula, was initiated and prepared by the State government. The Plan defined the free zone as a special multi-functional economic zone and a new modern city with several south-west and north-south traffic corridors.

Besides, Later in July 2008, the blueprint of developing the entire Lekki Peninsula into a ‘Blue-Green Environment City’ was proposed to cover an additional area of 600 square kilometres.

The Lekki City plan was prepared by Messrs Dar al Handersah, Shair and Partners, for Lagos State Ministry of Urban Planning and Physical Development and based on the proposed landuse plan, Lekki city, excluding the Lekki Free Zone.

It was divided into four linear development zones, namely; the North Urban Zone which will be largely residential, the Natural Park Zone which will consist environmental and nature conservation park, the South Urban Zone which will include the existing and new residential developments along with commercial and mixed uses, as well as light industry, and the Atlantic Coastal Zone which will mainly be developed for tourism and recreational activities.

The land use master plan will stipulates a total built-up area of about 100 square kilometres, which can accommodate a residential population of about 3.4 million and non-residential population (touristic, hotels, commercial, offices, medical and industrial) of about 1.9 million. Several institutions, estates and new investments are springing up along the Lekki axis that has been described as “the fastest growing corridor in west African sub-region.

“ So, with the above, the lesson to be learned by the incoming administration, be it APC, PDP, must recognised the fact that lack of expansion, proactive measure in maintenance and rehabilitation made Apapa what its today “, lamented Adeniyi.

However, responding to questions by the group of media leaders in Ikeja last week, when he hosted the Editors, Sanwoolu stated that if voted into power, projects that will have direct impact on the people will be their focus.

“Iam aware that some of the ongoing projects need review, but those that will have immediate and direct impacts on people will not suffer”. He assured.

Speaking specifically on the Lekki-Epe Expressway, Dr. Hamzat stated that for the fact that development titlts towards Epe, Ikorodu and Badagry, where land opportunities abound, made it imperative for government’s attention to shift towards those areas.

“But pertaining to Epe-Ibeju-Lekki Expressway, I need to tell you that I was part of the people that designed the road and its for the purpose of these developmental projects.

“ So, the issue of abandoning the road doesn’t arise. LFTZ is very critical to the development of Lagos State. As such, we will do everything possible to ensure that the zone will not suffer what Apapa is witnessing today”, Hamzat assured.

Just last week, Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode also assured that the Governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State for the 2019 general elections, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu will not abandon ongoing projects but rather complete and build on the enduring legacies already put in place by his administration.

Governor Ambode, who said this while inaugurating an ultra modern lecture theatre donated to the Lagos State University (LASU) by businessman and philanthropist, Mr Remi Makanjuola, said while efforts were on to complete all the major projects initiated by his administration, Sanwo-Olu would nonetheless complete those ones he is unable to deliver before the expiration of his tenure next year.

“I am so excited about the fact that Mr Sanwo-Olu has actually come out here and he has issued a promissory note and what that mean is that we are going to have a government of continuity”, he said.

It would be recalled that during the flag off of the reconstruction of Apapa-Oshodi–Oworoshoki –Ojota expressway in Lagos last week, the Minister of Power, Works,  and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola lamented that forty years after, the road was neither rebuilt, expanded nor reconstructed, but occasionally patched before it was finally collapse, despite the huge funds that accrued to the federal government through sale of crude oil.

Continued, he said “In all of those years,  we made a lot of money selling crude oil but this road was not rebuilt, expanded: Lagos Badagry started to deteriorate , Lagos, Ota-Abeokuta became impassable, Ikorodu Sagamu as well. You have heard from the consultant here who said about ten years ago when we were earning over $100 per a barrel of crude oil, he made a proposal to the government of the day but nothing was done.

“Now oil is significantly lower in price yet it takes one man’s commitment , one man’s good heart, goodwill and determination to make the kind of investments that is now being made here, that man is President Muhammadu Buhari. So if you go the Lagos Badagry expressway the contract has been awarded. Those are the roads that are so critical to the economic survival of Lagos,’’ Fashola said.

The project,  which is estimated to cost N73 billion, is being financed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model in partnership with the Dangote Group.

The flagoff ceremony,  held in front of the “Euro 65” premises in Apapa, had in attendance the Lagos State Governor Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode , President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote , Chairman senate committee on works, Senator Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Traditional Rulers and other prominent Nigerians.