Lagos, Nigeria - The Lekki Concession Company Limited (LCC), the operator of the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge Toll Plaza, has announced that it will resume tolling on the bridge from April 1, 2024, after months of suspension.
The tolling was suspended following the shooting of unarmed protesters by Nigerian soldiers at the Lekki Toll Plaza on October 20, 2020, during the #EndSARS protests against police brutality and bad governance.
The LCC said in a statement on Monday that tolling will be free for all motorists for the first two weeks until April 15, 2024, as a gesture of goodwill and appreciation to the public.
The statement added that the resumption of tolling was based on extensive consultations and support from key stakeholders, including residents' associations, traditional rulers, community leaders, professional bodies, and the Lagos State Government.
The LCC also said that it has introduced new technology and innovations to make the tolling process faster and more seamless for commuters, such as replacing old toll devices with upgraded ones, installing CCTV cameras and emergency call boxes, and providing free Wi-Fi and mobile charging points.
The LCC's Managing Director, Mr. Yomi Omomuwasan, said that the company was committed to providing quality service and enhancing the safety and security of the bridge users.
He said, "We are resuming tolling operations on the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge after a long period of suspension due to the unfortunate incident that occurred during the #EndSARS protests. We have taken this decision after careful consideration of the needs and expectations of our customers and the general public.
We have also invested in new technology and innovations to improve the tolling experience and ensure that our customers enjoy a smooth and comfortable ride on the bridge. We are confident that our customers will appreciate the value and convenience that our tolling service offers."
However, the resumption of tolling has been met with mixed reactions from the public, as some have expressed support for the LCC's decision, while others have criticized it as insensitive and exploitative.
Some of the supporters of the tolling said that it was necessary to generate revenue for the maintenance and security of the bridge, as well as to reduce traffic congestion and environmental pollution.
They also commended the LCC for the new features and facilities that it has provided on the bridge, such as the free Wi-Fi and mobile charging points, which they said would enhance the comfort and productivity of the bridge users.
One of the supporters, Mr. Adeola Ogunlade, a banker who works on the island, said, "I think the tolling is a good idea, because it will help to maintain the bridge and keep it safe and secure. The bridge is a very important infrastructure that connects the mainland and the island, and it needs to be well taken care of.
I also like the new features that the LCC has introduced, such as the free Wi-Fi and mobile charging points, which will make the bridge more user-friendly and convenient. I don't mind paying a little amount for the toll, as long as I get value for my money."
On the other hand, some of the opponents of the tolling said that it was unfair and unjust to impose tolls on the bridge users, especially after the trauma and loss that they suffered during the #EndSARS protests.
They also argued that the tolling would increase the cost of living and transportation for the residents and workers on the island, as well as affect the economic activities and social welfare of the people.
They also questioned the transparency and accountability of the LCC and the Lagos State Government, and demanded that the tolling should be stopped or reduced.
One of the opponents, Ms. Aisha Bello, a teacher who lives on the mainland, said, "I think the tolling is a bad idea, because it will add to the burden and hardship of the people who use the bridge. The bridge is a public facility that should be free and accessible to everyone, not a means of exploitation and oppression.
I also think that the tolling is insensitive and disrespectful to the memory and sacrifice of the #EndSARS protesters who were killed and injured at the Lekki Toll Plaza. The tolling should be stopped or reduced, and the LCC and the Lagos State Government should be held accountable for the funds that they have collected and spent on the bridge."
The Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge is a 1.36 km cable-stayed bridge that connects the Lekki Peninsula with Ikoyi Island. It was commissioned in 2013 by the then Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, as part of the Lekki-Epe Expressway project.
The bridge was initially toll-free, but tolling commenced in 2014, with the rates ranging from N250 to N400 for different categories of vehicles. The tolling was suspended in October 2020, after the #EndSARS protests turned violent and resulted in the shooting of protesters by soldiers at the Lekki Toll Plaza.
The #EndSARS protests were a series of demonstrations that erupted across Nigeria in October 2020, calling for the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a notorious unit of the Nigerian Police Force that was accused of extortion, harassment, torture, and extrajudicial killings of innocent citizens.
The protests also demanded for comprehensive police reforms and good governance in the country. The protests were largely peaceful and orderly, until October 20, 2020, when soldiers opened fire on unarmed protesters at the Lekki Toll Plaza, killing and injuring several people.
The shooting sparked outrage and condemnation from within and outside Nigeria, and led to the escalation of violence and vandalism in Lagos and other parts of the country. The Lagos State Government and the Federal Government have set up judicial panels of inquiry to investigate the incident and other cases of human rights violations by the police.
The Lekki Toll Plaza has since been closed and turned into a memorial site for the #EndSARS protesters, with graffiti, flowers, candles, and placards adorning the walls and gates. The Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge Toll Plaza has also been closed and under repair, until the announcement of its resumption by the LCC on Monday.
The resumption of tolling on the bridge is expected to have significant implications for the social, economic, and environmental aspects of life on the island and the mainland, as well as the political and legal dimensions of the #EndSARS saga.
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