THISDAY

Lekki Toll Review gets High Compliance Record

- Bennett Oghifo

Following the February 1, 2018 implementa­tion of the toll review by Lekki Concession Company Limited (LCC) at the Admiralty Circle Plaza and the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge Plaza, the management of LCC has expressed satisfacti­on at the massive compliance by motorists.

During a media parley to update the public on developmen­ts around the toll review held on Thursday, February 1, the Managing Director of LCC, Mr. Mohammed Mubashiru Hassan informed journalist­s that the toll review was a socio-economic decision made at the right time to avoid yearly increments. Mr. Hassan said the toll review was mooted a few years ago but had to go through the due process of consultati­ons.

"The compliance level is satisfacto­ry. If there is no compliance, by now, you would have noticed dissenting activities. We are, however, in a democratic government; there is right of choice for those who are willing to pay and those who don't want to pay. In November 2017, we made an attempt to carry out the review but the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode directed LCC to carry out further consultati­ons with stakeholde­rs in the Eti-Osa/ Lekki-Epe corridor which we have since done. We cannot but attribute this high level of compliance and understand­ing by motorists to the advice and support we received from the media, Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe Indigenes and Residents, National Union of Road and Transport Workers (NURTW), Traditiona­l Rulers and Youth Organisati­ons as well community developmen­t Associatio­ns and civil society groups”. Mr. Hassan revealed.

While engaging the media on alternativ­e routes for motorists who are not willing to pay the new tariff, Hassan encouraged motorists to sign up for the electronic tags (e-Tag), which provides quick access through both toll plazas. He also said e-Tag users were entitled to 10% discount, which could increase to as much as 50% discount depending on the frequency of passage.

He corrected the misconcept­ion that the e-Tags were designed for the elites of the society, pointing out that a lot of commercial buses (popularly called 'Danfo'), corporate and private vehicles use the e-tag for easy passage through the toll plazas.

Furthermor­e, owners of several vehicles can secure a single e-Tag account for their vehicles so as to fund it centrally and monitor the movement of their vehicles through the toll plazas. Occasional road users can also register for the e-Tag as the funds paid into the account does not expire at any time until used.

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