Reverse Lekki toll charges, SERAP urges Ambode

A human rights advocacy group, Socio-Economic Rights and
Accountability Project, has urged the Lagos State Governor,
Akinwunmi Ambode, to reverse the increase in toll charges at the
Lekki-Epe Expressway and Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge toll gates.

SERAP, in a statement by its Executive Director, Adetokunbo
Mumuni, on Sunday, said the increase in toll charges conflicts with
the goals of the Lagos State government to provide basic public
services to citizens and residents.

The statement read in part, “This latest increase in toll
charges at the Lekki-Epe Expressway and Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge
toll gates is unacceptable, as it conflicts with the goals and
commitment of the government to provide basic public services to
citizens and residents.

“It seems the agreement between the government and the Lekki
Concession Company is no longer serving the needs of citizens and
residents.

“It’s time for Ambode to ensure and maintain a balance between
the needs of the citizens and residents of Lagos State and the
LCC.

“The authorities should respect and protect the right of
protesters to demonstrate against the hike in toll charges and to
voice their opinion.”

The group added, “In the face of rising poverty and economic
inequalities across the country, the government should be
considering eliminating toll charges rather than allowing the LCC
to get away with overcharging citizens and residents and
prioritising profits over the public interests.

“Unless the situation is satisfactorily resolved in the public
interests, the government runs the risk of being viewed as beholden
to special interests and out of touch with the public good.”

The new rates for the toll charges at the Lekki-Epe Expressway
and Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge toll gates were implemented February 1
by the LCC, managers of the road.

A human rights advocacy group, Socio-Economic Rights and
Accountability Project, has urged the Lagos State Governor,
Akinwunmi Ambode, to reverse the increase in toll charges at the
Lekki-Epe Expressway and Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge toll
gates.

SERAP, in a statement by its Executive Director, Adetokunbo
Mumuni, on Sunday, said the increase in toll charges conflicts with
the goals of the Lagos State government to provide basic public
services to citizens and residents.

The statement read in part, “This latest increase in toll
charges at the Lekki-Epe Expressway and Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge
toll gates is unacceptable, as it conflicts with the goals and
commitment of the government to provide basic public services to
citizens and residents.

“It seems the agreement between the government and the Lekki
Concession Company is no longer serving the needs of citizens and
residents.

“It’s time for Ambode to ensure and maintain a balance between
the needs of the citizens and residents of Lagos State and the
LCC.

“The authorities should respect and protect the right of
protesters to demonstrate against the hike in toll charges and to
voice their opinion.”

The group added, “In the face of rising poverty and economic
inequalities across the country, the government should be
considering eliminating toll charges rather than allowing the LCC
to get away with overcharging citizens and residents and
prioritising profits over the public interests.

“Unless the situation is satisfactorily resolved in the public
interests, the government runs the risk of being viewed as beholden
to special interests and out of touch with the public good.”

The new rates for the toll charges at the Lekki-Epe Expressway
and Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge toll gates were implemented February 1
by the LCC, managers of the road.