LCC Postpones Resumption of Toll Collection on Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge

Bennett  Oghifo

Lekki Concession Company Limited (LCC) has postponed the resumption of toll collection on the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge which was scheduled to begin today, April 16th, 2022, “after several engagements with critical stakeholders.”

A new date for toll collection at the Ikoyi Link Bridge Toll Plaza would soon be announced, the LCC said.

According to a statement signed by the Managing Director of LCC, Yomi Omomuwasan, “the company decided to delay the resumption of toll collection for further consultations with key stakeholders in the Eti-Osa, Lekki area, in a bid to address their concerns and arrive at a mutually favourable resolution of all issues. Besides, the shift will give customers more time to register for the electronic devices.

“As a responsible organisation, we must take full cognizance of everyone within the axis. Therefore, we want to continue with the ongoing engagements with our stakeholders,” Omomuwasan said.

“The preparatory operations to resume tolling on the Bridge have been smooth so far, and we are grateful to all the key stakeholders for their cooperation. The planned commencement of toll collection has now been postponed, allowing more of our customers to register for the electronic toll devices to enable seamless passages at the toll plaza.”

Omomuwasan said this development was coming after a series of meetings in the last week between the management of LCC and key stakeholders, including residents’ associations.

“The first of such meetings was presided over by the Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, after which LCC and the residents’ associations met on two occasions. Talks with key stakeholders will continue, whilst a new date for toll collection will be announced soon,” the statement said.

On Monday this week, LCC had sent out an app for download by customers for “Quick Account Management” in preparation for the usual cash-free tolling on the bridge.

The LCC suspended toll collection at the Lekki-Ikoyi and Admiralty-Lekki toll gates after the violent #EndSARS protest on October 20, 2020 that claimed some lives.

Last March, when the Lagos State Government stated its resolve to reopen the Lekki-Ikoyi toll gate, there were dissenting voices and planned protests to dissuade the government.

Many Nigerian youths and residents of that axis of Lagos insisted that protesters were killed while waving the Nigerian flag and singing the national anthem.

During the #EndSARS protest, the Lekki toll plaza on Lekki-Epe Expressway was the main protest theatre. An attack by Nigerian security agents on the unarmed protesters forced the closure of the two toll plazas.

A report by the Lagos State judicial panel in November 2021 proposed that the Lekki toll plaza be made a memorial site for the #EndSARS protest and renaming the plaza as #EndSARS Tollgate.

“The panel recommends that October 20th of every year, the day is made a ‘Toll Free Day’ at the Lekki Toll Gate as long as the tollgate exists,” the panel report said.