The Lekki Concession Company Limited, the operators of the Ikoyi Link Bridge and the Admiralty Circle Plaza, has postponed the resumption of tolling at the Ikoyi Link Bridge.
This was announced by the LCC Managing Director, Yomi Omomuwasan, in a statement on Friday night. He said a new resumption date would be announced.
This came after protests by residents of Lekki under the aegis of the Lekki Estates Residents & Stakeholders Association. The group said it rejected the resumption of tolling at the bridge which was scheduled to begin on April 16th, 2022.
Omomuwasan, in a statement on Friday, said 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.
The statement was titled, ‘LCC Shift Resumption Date Of Toll Collection At The Ikoyi Link Bridge Toll Plaza. New Date To Be Announced Soon’.
“As a responsible organization, we must take full cognizance of everyone within the axis. Therefore, we want to continue with the ongoing engagements with our stakeholders.
“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,” he said.
This is coming about 19 months after tolling was suspended at the bridge following the aftermath of protests against police brutality and extrajudicial killings in Lagos State in October 2020.
The postponement of the resumption came after LCC had announced its plans to resume the toll on the Link bridge.
The announcement had however been met with stiff resistance from youths and residents in the area, who vowed to protest against the resumption of tolling.
Making the announcement Omomuwasan had said the resumption of tolling at the bridge was coming after extensive consultations with, and support of key stakeholders including the Residents’ Associations, Traditional Rulers, Community Leaders, professional bodies as well as the Lagos State Government.
The planned protests had led to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, warning against protests over the reopening of the Lekki toll plaza.
The CP spoke in a statement with the title, ‘Lekki tollgate protest: Breakdown of law and order will not be tolerated – CP Alabi’, which was issued by the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin.
“This assurance has become imperative following news making the rounds that some Nigerians are planning to protest at the Lekki Toll-gate, an action capable of grounding commercial activities and obstructing the free flow of traffic,” the statement said.
“While the Command is not averse to the peoples’ right to freedom of assembly and association; and expression, the Command will equally live up to its mandate of ensuring that no person or group of persons is allowed to infringe on the fundamental human rights of others, especially the rights to freedom of movement and right to dignity of human persons.
“CP Alabi, therefore, warns all intending protesters that anyone found infringing on the rights of other Nigerians will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
“Meanwhile, CP Alabi once again enjoins all peace-loving Lagosians to go about their lawful duties without fear of harassment or intimidation, reiterating that adequate security assets have been strategically deployed to ensure their safety and security.”
The two toll gates were hotbeds of the nationwide EndSARS protests against police brutality and extrajudicial killings in October 2020. The protests turned sour when soldiers allegedly shot the protesters dead and allegedly injured scores of others, a claim the military denied.