The Lagos State Government is pushing to resume tolling at the Lekki tollgate despite strong objections raised by residents, SaharaReporters revealed.
The tollgate was the epicentre of the October 2020 #EndSARS protest, following the demonstrations by youths against police brutality, among others.
The ensuing events led to the suspension of tolling operations at the tollgate amidst calls for justice for the victims of the shootings.
It also affected tolling at the nearby Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, where tolling was also suspended.
Tolling on the Lekki Expressway and Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge is managed by Lekki Concession Company (LCC).
However, Saharareporters revealed that the state government has now resolved to resume tolling at the tollgate and the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, ignoring public outcry against the move.
“Lagos State Governor (Babajide Sanwo-Olu) has said there is no going back on the Lekki toll fee beginning in the first week of March 2024.
“Training is ongoing for Admiralty Link Bridge at Ikoyi to commence first week of March,” a government source reportedly told Saharareporters.
In March 2022, the state government said tolling on the Lekki tollgate would have to resume, adding that LCC owed both local and foreign lenders billions of naira.
But the LCC in April 2022, said it had again postponed toll collection at the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge.
The suspension of toll collection, according to a statement by the LCC management, was to give residents more time to register for electronic toll devices.
The management said the resumption of services at the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge Toll Plaza followed extensive consultations with and the support of key stakeholders including the residents’ associations, traditional rulers and community leaders, professional bodies, as well as the Lagos State Government.
But members of the Lekki Estates Residents and Stakeholders Association denied this and rejected tolling at the bridge.
The association said the resumption of tolling would aggravate the suffering of Lekki residents.