Onikan Stadium: Another Abandoned Project?

The Onikan Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Lagos. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of various Lagos teams, most notably Ikorodu United F.C., Stationery Stores F.C., First Bank and Julius Berger FC. The stadium has a capacity of 5,000 people and is the oldest in Nigeria.

Located on the Lagos Island near Tafewa Balewa Square, the original stadium was built in 1930 and six years later named after King George V. Between 1963 and 1973, it became known as the Lagos City Stadium

Currently, the stadium is undergoing transformation and upgrade into an iconic sporting centre. The facility, upon completion, will be an all-covered ultra-modern international stadium with FIFA certified artificial turf and multipurpose arena for entertainment concerts with a capacity to accommodate 10,000 people, among others.

Last year the Lagos State officials with the executive governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode visited this site to inspect work done in this aspect, during the visit, the engineers assured the state government that the stadium will be completed in no time. 7 months after, it seems either Slava Bogu Construction Company is either sleeping or something is amiss.

AutoReportNG was at Onikan, Muson Centre and we decided to take a stroll to the stadium as it's just a stone thrown away but we are surprised that nothing concrete has been done save for the roofing that was completed recently. We sought to know the reason for this delay but the securities are not friendly as the gate was slammed at us, we can't revolt as there is a police zonal office nearby, we have to leave not so as not to cause a scene.

Our investigation, however, reveals that the stadium may not be completed in Mr. Ambode's tenure as there is still a lot of work to be done. For example, we noticed that since last year, only the roofing and the slabs have been done,  nothing tangible to point to. The flooring, the lightings, and others have not even started needlessly of starting in bits. If going by the morale of last year during the governor's inspection, the stadium ought to have been completed by now! Another point to this may be as a result of Gov. Ambode's failed bid to reclaim his second term ticket. Whatever may be the case, we want a Lagos that works.

The stadium started its reconstruction in 2017 by the late Mr. Deji Tinubu who was the commissioner for sports. The project was scheduled to have been completed in January 2019 but we are still at the preliminary stage.

These are some of the pictures we got online as we can not gain entrance to take pictures of the stadium, we will revert once we gain entrance to take a detailed picture of the site.

 From the Overbridge Bridge...

The Final Output/Design

Images As At September 2018

Puzzle: Who Deserves Your Seats and Why?

Life at times comes in its twist and can be confusing to make some quick decisions. Assuming you find yourself in a situation that you have to sacrifice your seat (just 1 seat) for these set of people...

1. A Nursing Mother with a child
2. An aged woman
3. A man with a wound
4. A homeless man on the street

Who among these folks will you volunteer your seat to and why?

AutoReportNG will love to hear and read some comments

Fact Check: Who Started The Lagos - Ibadan Railway Project?

Just as the popular saying goes, "The Internet never forgets". At a time when we are a cross-road and when we are in between truth and fallacy, it is expedient we dig out some truth and we separate the wheat from the chaff.

The Lagos-Ibadan Railway project has been a subject among the APC and PDP loyalists. While PDP insists that the project was started, designed and awarded by the PDP government, APC seems to have another side of the story. APC insists that the project was started, executed and designed by the Buhari-led administration and this has been a tussle of discussion in the social media and in the dailies as well.

AutoReportNG has been following the Lagos-Ibadan Railway since its inception and now it has reached its 70% conclusion stage, we can say, we are at liberty to cross-check and have a say on this interesting topic.

To those in the political scene, they will remember that the minister of transportation, Mr. Rotimi Ameachi has been working tirelessly virtually on a regular basis, he will come to inspect the railway and ask the contractors how they are faring and the challenges they encounter. The APC has guided this project as its baby and so they won't want any stain to rubbish it.

A close check into this shows that the project was awarded 28th August 2012 during the former President Jonathan led administration.

We will quote some dailies that reports about this signing for a clear view.

Vanguard Newspapers

Abuja — FEDERAL Government, yesterday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding of $ 1.5billion Lagos - Ibadan rail project with Messrs CCECC Nigeria Limited.

The Federal Executive Council had on July 2012 approved Lagos - Ibadan Standard Gauge Track on double formation, covering a distance of 156.65km, totaling 313.30km double track in favour of the company, in the sum of US$1, 487, 782, 196.00, all taxes inclusive.

ThisDay

The Federal Government yesterday disclosed that it had signed a $1.49 billion contract with China for the construction of the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge Rail Double Track.

The rail line with Double Formation under Addendum No. 2 (2nd segment) is for the modernisation of the Lagos-Kano railway project.

It also approved other contracts covering the transport, power and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Briefing journalists in company of his colleagues after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Bala Mohammed, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, Transport, Idris Umar, Power, Bart Nnaji, and Urban and Housing Development, Ama Pepple, the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, said council approved contracts including the implementation of Addendum No. 2 (2nd segment: Lagos-Ibadan to the main contract for the railway modernisation project (Phase 1; Lagos-Kano).

Messrs China Civil Engineering Construction Company Nig Ltd which clinched the job, is expected to complete the project in 36 months.
The variation of the scope of work for the contract for design and construction of Abuja Rail Mass Transit Project (Lots 1&3) from the initial work span of 60.67km to 45.245km (Lots 1A &3) upped the amount payable from $841,645,898.00 to $823,540,545.87 payable at the prevailing exchange rate inclusive of 5 per cent VAT and 5 per cent variation on prices.

“The contract is in favour of Messrs China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation (CCECC), with a completion period of 36 months”, Maku said.

Leadership

Nigeria: Railway Modernisation - FG Signs Contract Agreement With Chinese Company

As part of the Federal Government commitments to transform the railway sub-sector, it has signed a contract agreement with CCECC Nigeria for the construction of the Lagos to Ibadan double track.

The Minister of Transport Senator Idris Umar hinted that the Addendum No. 2:Lagos to Ibadan Double track is a double formation to the main contact for the modernisation phase 1 project even as he recalled that on the 18th July 2012, the Federal Executive Council approved the infavour of Messrs CCECC Nigeria Limited the sum of $1,487,782,196.00.

DailyTrust

Nigeria Signs U.S.$1.49 Billion Railway Deal With China

The Federal Government yesterday said it had signed a $1.49 billion contract with China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) to build a railway between Lagos and Ibadan.

The contract has a completion period of 36 months

For more, you can check on this link AllAfrica News

From all these articles, it can be said that the government of Pres. Jonathan initiated and signed the Lagos-Ibadan Railway Project which was meant to last for 3 years. According to the contract, the project is meant to start in 2012 and end in 2015 but due to how the government works, the APC led government inherited it and started work.

While credit must be given to both PDP and APC for this project: PDP for having the mind to think of connecting 3 states together using railway and thereby making the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway free of traffic and signing the contract with CCECC and APC led government for making sure they finish up what the PDP government started.

We hope this analysis will end the argument of whether the Lagos-Ibadan Rail Project was either APC or PDP. No matter which party started it, Nigeria comes first.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

These are some of the pictures from the construction sites.

New Photos of Eko Atlantic and How Much It Costs To Get A Land - Photos

The Eko Atlantic is finally seeing the light of the day after much work, energy and lots of investment both from the government and also from the private sector. Recently Eko Pearl Towers become the first residential and also the first building to have been completed in this magnificent city.

One thing Eko Atlantic seems to be giving lots of attention is the drainage, this is due to the fact that the land was reclaimed from the sea and so a lot is going to making sure the area is properly channeled and to avoid a flooded city.

Eko Pearl Towers, the first residential development in Eko Atlantic City, is a set of high-rise buildings, privately owned and developed by the leading Eko Pearl Construction Company. The development which is situated about 500 meters away from the financial center of Lagos on Eko Atlantic City, consists of five high rise residential towers, each topped with deluxe penthouse types, two & three bedroom apartments exuding a luxurious home experience with a view of the Lagos coastline.

While many have been asking questions of how much it costs to own a plot or a piece of land at Eko Atlantic, AutoReportNG was able to make some findings and we can confirm to you that it's not for the faint-hearted. According to the management...

EKO ATLANTIC CITY PRICE OF PLOTS AND OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION
As at 2010, plots of land are reported to cost the following but we are not too sure if there are lands and also if it has been upgraded...

"Plots are currently available for sale. Plot sizes start at 2000 square meters and up, and have a starting price of $825 (#302,000) and go up to $1660 (#606,000) per square meter (please note we do accept the equivalent in Naira). Prices are determined by where your land is in location to water.

Yes, you can make down payments. Our payment plan is simple and straightforward. In Phase 1, which is expected to be sand filled by the end of this year or beginning of next, is 50% down payment and 50% when you receive your land. In phase 2 and on, it is 25% down payment, 25% in the 1st year and 2nd year anniversary, and the last 25% when you receive your land.

We expect developers to build up in Eko Atlantic. Taller building serving the needs of residential, commercial, retail, and office space. The city is zoned mixed use. Developers can build to their plan, so as long as it adheres to the rules of our planning department.

Basic infrastructure will be ready by the time developers begin building. I would like to add that we are providing the infrastructure and that you will not need to provide your own.

The project is proceeding as planned, and we are on target to meet our goals".

These are some of the new visuals we can get our hands on...