Lagos seeks understanding as residents reject resumption of tolling at Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge

The Lagos government has urged the people of the state, especially residents of Lekki and Ikoyi, to show understanding ahead of the reopening of the Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge toll plaza by the Lekki Concession Company Limited (LCC).

The appeal was made by Gbenga Omotosho, commissioner of information and strategy; Frederick Oladehinde, commissioner for transportation; and Anofi Elegushi, commissioner for home affairs, during a stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday at the Lekki Coliseum, Lagos.

The toll plaza was shut down after hoodlums hijacked the #EndSARS protests in October 2020.

The LCC had announced that operations would commence at the toll plaza by April 1 and that the first two weeks would be toll-free but the residents kicked against it.

The residents urged the government to halt the process, citing the harsh economic situation in the country.

But Omotoso appealed to the residents to consider the number of Lagosians, whose sources of livelihood also depend on the commencement of operations.

He assured residents that the state government will look into all the requests and recommendations made by the stakeholders and respond appropriately.

“We are here to seek your understanding as a government about the matter at hand. We are also citizens of Nigeria. We are all Lagosians. I have listened to all of you talking about our rights, privileges, and how government should be responsible for everything. I also feel that as citizens, we should have some responsibilities,” Omotoso said.

“Lagos is a city of about 25 million people and out of the 25 million people, there are about six million taxpayers and among six million taxpayers, only 4.2 million are active taxpayers. So, let us reflect on all these things.

“I know how people feel and I understand what has been said, but I believe that the matter at hand is about seeking your understanding. It is a matter of showing some compassion for people who have one thing or another to do with this company.”

Oladehinde, on his part, said the decision of the government is not to punish the people but to create an enabling environment for more jobs through private sector participation.

“What Lagos state is trying to do is to create an enabling environment to create more jobs and when you create more jobs, we should not be shortsighted,” he said.

“The only way to create jobs is to create an environment where we can attract the private sector to build more infrastructure in the state. Let us look at the issue from the view that we are trying to resuscitate the economy of Lagos state.”

Also speaking, Elegushi appealed for cooperation from the people, saying “we must all work together.”

In his address, Yomi Omomuwasan, CEO of LCC, said the resumption of operations was necessary for the company not to default on its payment of local and international loans as well as to cater to the welfare of its workers.

He said LCC has also introduced new technology and innovations to make movement at the toll plaza seamless and faster for commuters.