#Xenophobia; Tight Security At Shoprite Lekki As Shop Owners Count Loses

The Xenophobic attack on-going in South Africa is not a thing of joy for someone to smile, joke or make jest of, as a citizen of this great country, we condemned this act as inhuman and as a crime against humanity especially towards Africans. 

Nigerians decided to do a reprisal of the Xenophobic act being meted by South Africans against Nigerians by storming the popular Shoprite Mall at Lekki. In what started as a protest led to looting of shops, malls, and goods worth millions of naira. A shop, for example, was ransacked and all the goods in that shop was looted.

In order to curtail further breakdown of law and orders and to protect other stores from being broken into, the Lagos Police officers led by RRS Commander, DCP Tunji Disu take control of security at Shoprite, Lekki.

It was reported in the media that a protester lost his life during the protest yesterday.

These are live images from the Lekki Shoprite Mall...

 

Sanwo-Olu Declares Another Free Passage At Lekki, Ikoyi Toll Plazas On Wednesday

In furtherance of Lagos State Government’s real time traffic simulation survey being carried out with the aim of reducing traffic congestion around the Lekki-Epe and Ikoyi axes, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has again approved the opening of Lekki and Ikoyi toll gates during peak hours on Wednesday 17th July 2019.

A statement signed by the Governor’s Deputy Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile stated that a toll-free passage at the toll plaza on Lekki-Epe Expressway and the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge would run between 6:30am and 9:30am in the morning, and also at the peak period in the evening (4:30pm to 7.30pm).

The statement reads: “Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared toll free for all motorists going and coming out of Lekki axis during rush hours tomorrow, Wednesday 17th of July 2019 to allow the State’s consultants complete the traffic simulation survey that was started a couple of weeks ago.

The toll-free hours, Sanwo-Olu stated, is to allow traffic consultants to the government carry out a comprehensive study of traffic flow around Lekki-Ikoyi-Victoria Island axes, which is part of the initiatives the government is bringing to diffuse vehicular gridlock in major Business Districts in the State.

According to the Governor, the cost of the toll fees for the study period will be borne by the government.

Recall that Governor Sanwo-Olu said the State was undertaking a traffic study with a group of experts to know where the traffic would go when the tollgates are left open for steady movement.

“It is only when we do this activity at the peak hour that we will be able to understand how to deal with congestion in these places,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The Governor said the undertaking was necessary for the government to take actions that would lead to the reduction of traffic on the axes by 50 percent. The resultant effect, he said, would lead to a decrease in travel time and improved productivity.

“We are restating our commitment to bringing about a quick journey time through our traffic solution. The way we want to do it is to have an online real-time study of what the issues are. We are going to analyse the dimension of observed challenges and discuss the next steps of the solution we are bringing,” the Governor said.

Lekki, Ikoyi Toll Gates To Go Electronic From October - Sanwo-Olu

A cross-section of Lagos residents and motorists on Friday commended the State Government for proposing a “touch and go” electronic payment system that will allow motorists pass quickly at the toll plaza of Lekki-Ikoyi Link bridge.

The State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu had on Wednesday announced that the mode of toll collection at the bridge would completely go electronic by October this year, saying that the development was part of efforts to ensure free flow of traffic within the axis.

The Governor further declared the use of toll plazas at both Lekki-Epe Expressway and Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge free of charge on Thursday July 11 from 6:30am to 9:30 am, and in the evening from 4:30pm to 8pm, also in a bid to tackle the gridlock in the corridor.

Reacting, a resident of the axis, Mrs Bimbo Fatoki said the development was a well-appreciated one, saying the free access at the toll plazas hugely reduced travel time.

“This is a welcome development and everyone is happy; kids did not get to school late this because the road was free and I want to say that more of this development will be welcomed,” Fatoki said.

Another resident simply identified as Mr Alimi, said the development was an eloquent confirmation that the government of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was responsible and listens to the people.

“This development is good and it shows that the government is responsible and listens to the complaints of the people. Although I welcome this, however, in my opinion, Thursday is not the best day for the survey due to the sanitation because not everyone will come out at the same time.

“I also think that the roundabout in this area should be taken out because it is also part of the problem,” he said.

On his part, Mr John Okechuwu said he was pleasantly surprised to see the toll gate free as it was usually jam packed, adding that the electronic system would make movement faster.

A truck driver, Mr Fatai Omotayo said the electronic system was the way to go, adding that he was already using an E-card; while another motorist, Mr Coker urged government to fix the bad roads and review the traffic light, especially in terms of allocating more time to green light to enhance movement.

“I have passed through several junction before getting to the toll gate and there was hold-up but I must say I am happy with the step taken by the government on the free access as well as the electronic system,” said another resident, Mr Christoper.

Other residents, who spoke, urged government to explore the possibility of an alternative route to be created, as well as ensure that all the booths at the toll plazas are functional.

Free Lekki, Ikoyi Toll: Updates From Lekki and Ikoyi Toll Gates - Photos

Lagosians received the news with mixed feelings yesterday when the governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu said that both the Lekki and Ikoyi toll gates will be free for Thursday only as from 6am to 9.30am. According to the governor who was at the Lekki toll gate on Wednesday, he said, Thursday, July 11th will be a toll-free day during the morning and evening peak hours for vehicles plying the Lekki and Admiralty toll plaza in Lekki and Ikoyi.

According to reports, the toll plaza would be left open between 6.30am -9.30am and 4.30pm -8.00pm, this is being done to study the traffic movement and also suggest ways to reduce traffic in these areas.

AutoReportNG was monitoring comments from road users base on these two gates that are Lekki and Ikoyi respectively. Like magic, base on comments so far, there seems to be no traffic. According to Ms. Chidima who posted on her twitter page, she said, I  passed the Ikoyi-Lekki toll gate this morning... no traffic... no payment. Thank you Lagos State Government. You just made life easier for a mother rushing to get her child to school and making it early to work.

Also, a man named spotless has this to say, It really worked H.E. I think the toll gate also contributed to the traffic in Lekki Epe express road. cos I left the park around 7.35 and we are in Lekki toll gate @ 810 aside the traffic light hold up.

Lastly, Ms. Kehinde Adewusi has this to say, Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge is free as the government investigates the obvious. Of course, it's the damn toll gate that's causing traffic in that axis. Thanks, @jidesanwoolu, at least you have the answer to the experiment, no? @agbegidana

The question on the lips of road users is, will Lagos State Government stop the tolling on these roads? While we await the governor's decision on this, these are some of the image we managed to get across the various pages we monitored.

Sanwo-Olu Declares Lekki, Admiralty Toll Plaza Free On Thursday

The Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared Thursday, July 11th, a toll-free day during the morning and evening peak hours for vehicles plying the Lekki and Admiralty toll plaza in Lekki and Ikoyi. According to reports, the toll plaza would be left open between 6.30am -9.30am and 4.30pm -8.00pm.

The governor stated this while addressing State House Correspondents after a tour of the Victoria Island-Lekki-Ajah axis over traffic gridlock and flooding issues.

The purpose, he said, is for doing traffic situation analysis in the area to find solutions to the issue of traffic gridlock in the area.

Lagos 2019: Sanwo-Olu Gifts Motorists Free Coke Drinks At Lekki Toll Gate

Its election time in Nigeria! That rings a bell, right? When it's election period, politicians will do anything possible within their power to get the attention of the voters and also do anything even if it is washing your car to get votes they will gladly do it.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu is an aspirant under APC aiming for the number one of Lagos State. His PR team have been doing all they could to put him in the spotlight from social media to newspapers, to the traditional media, just name it, you will find Sanwo-Olu there. They seem to have taken the campaign to a new level and this time, the campaign team went to Lekki Toll Gate to share free Coca Cola drinks to the road users, the hustle is getting real you say!

This is not the first time that Sanwo-Olu will be at Lekki Toll Gate, last year December, he was at Lekki Toll Gate where he gave a free pass to motorists and this time around, its free coke to all drivers and road users. Let's await the strategy of other political parties

Two Men Destroying Each Other’s Car in Lekki, Lagos (Photos and Video)

While the nation is under the helm election fever and people are trying their last minute shopping, the roads are busy and everywhere is locked, one can not but come across some crazy drivers especially in a cosmopolitan city like Lagos.

Two men were destroying each other’s car, on Thursday, around Law School at the Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos. The reason for this may likely be one hit other cars first. The surprising thing is that each of these cars amounts to millions and they were destroying it like kids.

We got some images and visual for this.

Watch the video below...

View this post on Instagram

Two men destroying each other’s car, on Thursday, along the Lekki-Epe expressway, Lagos. 📹: Maverick

A post shared by Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) on Feb 16, 2019 at 12:00am PST

Top 3 Roads Gov Ambode Transformed From Traffic Prone To Traffic Free

It is no longer news that the days of Gov Akinwunmi Ambode as the executive governor of Lagos state are numbered. Having lost out at the primaries, he has resorted to fate to end his tenure 29th May 2019.

This is one government that has come under heavy criticisms both from Nigerians and even his party for neglecting some basic works like environment, roads etc. While we respect these submissions and we accept the general outcry that Lagos is truly dirty. Away from that, it will be wicked to throw the bath water with the baby.

AutoReportNG decided to take a look at the top 3 roads Gov. Ambode was able to transform from being a traffic prone-road into a flawless and traffic-free road. Please note that this is not a sponsored post, we just felt it is our obligation to report facts from figures.

1. Iyana Oworo by Third Mainland Bridge

One of the traffic-prone axis in Lagos is Iyana Oworo Bus-Stop. This is one of the many roads that give drivers headache, it was so bad that the former Lagos state governor tried to curb this menace by eradicating all the Danfos but the more he tried, the stronger they returned. For those who are used to this road, the danfos used to drop the passengers on the road and this used to block the flow of traffic that it stretched all through to the already blocked Third Mainland Bridge. When Gov. Ambode came into power, he was able to access the bridge and study the terrain and his team introduces segregated Bus Park and the lay-bays first at Iyana-Oworo. The lay-bys at Iyana Oworo which greatly reduced traffic faced by motorists descending the ever busy Third Mainland Bridge seems to be the magic the road yarns for.

2. The Lekki Bottle Necks

For those whose routes are Lekki, Ikate, VGC, Ajah, you will attest to the fact that the bottlenecks at Lekki roundabout, Ikate, Lamgbasa are nothing but senseless, meaningless and serve no purpose. Due to these bottlenecks around this route, traffic used to stretch right from House on the Rock Bus Stop at Ikate all through Lekki Round-About. The government decides to remove the bottlenecks at Jakande and Chisco roundabouts in Ikate Elegushi axis of the state as part of effort to reduce travel time on the Lekki – Epe expressway. Just like the Midas touch, after the removal, the traffic at this axis has reduced drastically. According to reports, six roundabouts were removed including Ikate, Chisco, Jakande, Igbo Efon, Chevron and Victoria Garden City (VGC) and these make the road free from traffic. The road now has been fixed with traffic lights which aids in traffic movement.

3. The Building of Ojodu-Berger Laybys And Slip Road

Ojodu-Berger is the gateway road for those arriving Lagos, after leaving the OPIC plaza, your next point of call is Ojodu Berger, buses from different states use this spot to drop their passengers who may want to board buses which are closer to their various locations. The problem with this axis is that people tend to cross the road to the other side which has caused deaths, traffic and also untoil sufferings for those coming into Lagos and those going outside the state. At the inception of this administration in May 2015, the traffic situation at the Ojodu Berger axis was one of the challenges that were identified as one requiring urgent attention. With the construction of the Pedestrian Bridges, Laybys And Slip on this road, traffic has reduced drastically to a minimum rate.

While we can not neglect the fact the some of Lagos roads are fast becoming a death trap for users especially those in the Island will agree that Lagos roads are getting worse daily but we can't but give accolades to the state government for these roads which have relieved stress off Lagosians.