Public outcry against planned reopening of Lekki toll gates

….punish Lagos APC at next Polls

…. All APC elected officials complicit

…. Lagosians are set for toll operation – Concessionaire

Posted by allcitynews.ng

Sequel to the closing down of the concessioned toll gates, on Lekki Ikoyi link bridge and Lekki Epe expressway, post nationwide #EndSARS protests and the #LekkiShooting incident on Friday October 20, 2020. Lagos State authorities announced the reopening of these toll gates 16 months after to the displeasure of stakeholders, residents and the commuting public in the state.

Stakeholders are demanding to know why the tolls had to be reopened when the Lagos State government has failed to be accountable about these tolls. “How much was used to build the tolled road and the bridge, how much has been collected, how much is left to be collected: will these tolls operate in perpetuity, since the Lagos State Government has bought out the Concessionaire, why are tax payers paying twice” Mrs Bilikis Orelope demanded.

“The decision to reopen these tolls are not popular and it is a desperate move by the Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu led administration to shop for funds unethically and absent conscience and good judgment, traffic build up that the toll brought to the Lekki axis will return with the reopening of these tolls. The Lagos State Government should apply for funds from the federally collected road tax and desist from pulling wools over the eyes of the public” Alhaji Yisa Abdullahi Adamu offered

Fight for Justice (FFJ) a civil society group in a statement made available on Friday urged Lagosians to punish the Lagos All Progressives Congress APC at the next polls in 2023.
FFJ observed that the Lagos State Governor, the 3 Senators, 24 House of Representatives members and 40 members of the State House of Assembly are all insensitive to the harsh economic conditions affecting Lagosians and must be punished for their complicity in this toll reintroduction.

The Group advised that in a democratic setting, the recognized way to register displeasure on Government policies is to vote them out. They stated that Lagosians should wake up and fight for their rights which are being trampled upon by the Lagos State Government.

FFJ said that the Lagos State Government is being economical with the truth regarding the tolls and urged the State Government to come clean on the justification for re-introduction of tolls on roads that had already been paid for with the taxes of citizens. The group further advised that the State Government should scrap the LCC and transfer its functions to the Ministries of Works and Transport to handle its functions. LCC has outlived its usefulness and is fraudulently fleecing tax payers FFJ noted.

The social advocacy group argued that citizens are suffering double jeopardy with these tolls and urged the suspension of the collections immediately.

However in a public communication signed Yomi Omomuwasan
MD Lekki Concession Company Limited said she wishes to express its sincere appreciation to all stakeholders and the general public for a peaceful first day of recommencement of toll operations and equipment testing at the Ikoyi- Link Bridge Toll Plaza.

“We also appreciate our esteemed customers for their continuous visit to our offices to register their vehicles, modify, and top up their toll accounts in preparation for the cashless toll collection at the plaza. We are pleased to inform motorists that the result of the equipment testing has so far been satisfactory, even as this continues for the next few days.

“Once again, we assure motorists and stakeholders of our commitment to providing better services as we return to full operations in the coming days.”

Remi Aduwo however said LCC lied in her public statement no one is ready to submit to tolling anymore and class legal actions will be brought to bare on the matter.