WHAT a few months ago, many regarded as a welcome road infrastructural development on the 49.4 kilometre Lekki-Epe Expressway, on the outskirts of Lagos has now become a subject or raging controversy
Neither the residents and motorists who were witnesses to the gradual changes that were taking place nor the Lekki Concession Company (LCC) responsible for the road works, could have imagined it will ever be embroiled in such heated dispute.
But today, a section of the public, particularly, residents and motorists along the Lekki-Epe Expressway are pitched in a tussle with LCC over the latter’s plans to collect tolls on the road.
Last Thursday, placard-carrying demonstrators blocked a section of the expressway to press home their opposition to the planned collection of tolls.
Those of the residents and motorists who think, the Lekki-Epe Expressway project is a Lagos government affair, cannot see any reason why the government cannot utilize the taxpayer’s money to build roads.
They say, they pay their taxes and therefore, the government should not approve an additional burden of paying tolls on such road built with their money.
A resident, Femi Ekun said: “The issue is that we pay our taxes which the government says guarantees our being provided with roads, hospitals and other services.
If that is the case, what justification can there be for this additional burden of tolls on this highway built with our money? Where does our tax money go to?” he asked.
Another resident, Oke Ekezie argued that the 30-year duration during which LCC is to operate and collect tolls on the road is rather too long.
“That would be a 30-year bondage.
“Is the government and LCC saying we are going to be in bondage for that long?” another resident asked.
He continued: “Then what is the need of paying tax again. The government should better use our tax well rather than deepening the already unbearable situation for us.”
But even as the dispute over the planned toll rages, Lekki Concession Company appears rather surprised that so much dust has been raised.
The managing director and chief executive officer of LCC, Opuiyo Oforiokuma, has blamed the protests on wrong information being circulated by those who either do not understand the good intentions of the company, nor the fact that it undertook the project with the backing of a duly-passed law by the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The managing director decried the wrong information concerning the amount to be paid as toll, the frequency of payment and even the date of commencement which he said, LCC would make public in due course.
The LCC, according to him continues to put additional structures on the highway, in order to ensure the traffic congestion the route is known for is reduced.
Recently it has opened up additional lanes for use by motorists at the new 22-lane Admiralty Circle Toll Plaza by Oniru Estate, bringing the total number of lanes now open for use to 14. This follows the completion of Section One of the road project. ت
“Work completed on Section One of the Lekki Toll Road, which covers the first six kilometres of the carriageway (Km 0-6), includes reconstruction of the First Roundabout, construction of a new Second Roundabout, expansion of the ExxonMobil Bridge from four to eight lanes, and completion of the Admiralty Circle Toll Plaza,” Mr. Opuiyo Oforiokuma, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LCC, said recently.
According to him, a recent test run was necessary to ensure that there would be no hitches when tolling eventually commences on the expressway. He re-stated the position that LCC has not commenced tolling yet.
He added that the 22 lanes would eventually be open to road users once the toll plaza is put into full operation, saying the completed section of the road has now been certified as substantially completed.
This, he said, means tolling can commence on the expressway as provided for in LCC’s Concession Agreement with Lagos State.
He however reiterated that tolling has not yet commenced, and that notice of at least 14 days will be given before tolling does commence.
“It’s a toll plaza designed for advanced toll collection built on new and robust technology.
“ Testing the road and equipment is important so as to give road users adequate time to adjust to this new experience, and also to ensure that everything works. Testing does not imply that tolling has commenced.
“تWe have consistently maintained that we will give at least 14 days notice in advance, by which time the toll rates would have been announced,” Oforiokuma added.
According to him, the organisation is moving to ensure that the second section of the road project is completed as quickly as possible so as to ensure that more motorists will enjoy all of the benefits that Section One is already providing.
He explained that work is already in progress on the second section of the road project and covers the stretch of road between Amazon Energy and Victoria Garden City (VGC).
While assuring the public that the project would be completed as scheduled by end 2011, highlighted some of the benefits of the toll road, which include vehicular assistance and emergency services by LCC’s Route Patrol Services, improved journey times, round-the-clock maintenance of the revamped expressway, and full illumination of the road at night.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola has set up a committee made of members of Lekki and Ajah communities to look into the dispute and find ways to resolve it.
Aug272010