Tolling Resumes At Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge Amidst Heavy Security Presence And Controversies
Tolling commenced today on Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge in preparation for actual collection of tolls scheduled to begin on April 14 after a two-week window.
THECONSCIENCEng reports that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s advance team arrived at the toll gate to check on proceedings as there was a huge presence of security personnel as early as 6am. Earlier, the state Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, had warned that the state would not tolerate any form of protest on Lekki Expressway.
Recall that the decision by Lekki Concession Company (LCC) to re-commence tolling at Ikoyi- Lekki Link Bridge on the 1st of April 2022 was greeted with harsh resistance and may suffer set back as the residents and Lagosians kicked against it.
The former Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch, Adeshina Ogunlana has vowed to commence a street-to-street sensitization of motorists and residents against the tolling.
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Also of the same view with Ogunlana is the General Secretary, Federation of Informal Workers’ Organizations of Nigeria, FIWON, popular human rights lawyer, Ayo Ademiluyi, a political activist, Juwon Sanyaolu and other human rights activists who all opposed recommencement of the tolling.
The activists spoke on Wednesday, at a press conference organised by New Nigeria Network, at Isaac John Street, Government, Reserved Area, Ikeja, Lagos.
Barrister Ogunlana who was a Co-Convener of the Network said the reopening is against fundamental human rights.
“We hereby give notice that we are opposed to the resumption of the tolling at the Ikoyi-Lekki Link Bridge and subsequently at the Admirality Plaza or anywhere else on the Lekki-Epe Expressway as sane is illegal given that the Concessioning Agreement between the Lekki Concession Company and Lagos State Government has expired added to the fact that it is repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience over the unmarked grave of the martyrs of the 20th October, 2020 Lekki Massacre,”
The activist promised to commence a street-to-street sensitisation of motorists and residents should the tolling resumes, “We will commence street-to-street sensitisatiom of residents and motorists in the Lekki-Ajah axis of Lagos State from 1st April till 14th April, 2022 to implore them to refuse to pay the toll at the Toll Plazas. We call on all interested persons to join us.
It will be recalled that the toll stations were destroyed during the #endsars protests in 2020, toll collection was subsequently stopped until recently when the Concession Company announced that collection of tolls from motorists will resume on April 1, 2022.
