Commissioner of Transportation in Lagos State, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde has made a case for the reopening of tolling on the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge.
The Lekki Concession Company Limited (LCC), which operates the Toll Plaza has expressed readiness to resume tolling on the bridge.
Recall that the company had suspended operations on the bridge and at the Lekki Toll Plaza after unarmed protesters were attacked on October 20, 2020.
The government had at a meeting with residents and stakeholders announced an April 1, 2022 deadline to resume operation.
It had to shift ground upon further consultation with the stakeholders, fixing April 15th as the new take-off date.
Oladeinde said the government would continue to consult with the stakeholders, as the reopening of the toll plaza was in the overall interest of all.
He said the reopening would help protect businesses.
He said: “I know a lot of Lagosians are unhappy that the Lagos State Government is taking steps to reopen the toll gate, but we need to know that we are doing this in the best interest of all parties, including investors, who have always requested we guarantee the safety of their investment. We should not forget that the business in question is somebody’s business and it has been in jeopardy since it was burnt and shut down 18 months ago.”
He said the government might find it impossible to attract local and foreign investors if it could not continue to guarantee the safety of businesses, “an investors’ confidence in our state will continue to sag.”
“Several investors approaching the government with the intention of partnership for the provision of critical infrastructure are looking at us and will want assurance that their investment is safe and secure. They will take their investment away if we cannot give them that guarantee and secure their business and investments,” Oladeinde said.
