Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge Toll Gate Reopens Tomorrow As LASG Pleads For Understanding
Lagos State Government said Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge will be reopening tomorrow after eighteen months closure on account of endsars protest .
The is just as the Government appealed to those planning to stage protest against the facility’s reopening tomorrow to sheathe their swords.
Besides,the Government said while it has continually agonize and identify with the intent behind the protest,the colossal losses suffered by the company since the shut down of the facility is dangerous to its existence as well as the economic well-being of the state.
The Government maintained that those agitating for the perpetual closure of the facility are doing so for their subterranean interest designed to intentional worsen the economy of the state.
The Government said it has put every mechanism in place to ensure hitch free reopening of the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge Toll gate,including support for the Company to calm the nerves of the protesters.
According to the Government,the reopening of the facility would come with value addition and innovations .
The Lagos State Government had earlier in the week urged the people of the State, especially residents of Lekki and Ikoyi, to show understanding ahead of the proposed reopening of the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge Toll Plaza by the Lekki Concession Company Limited (LCC).
The Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho and his counterparts in Transport, Dr. Fredericks Oladehinde, as well as Home Affairs, Prince Anofi Elegushi respectively, during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Wednesday at The Lekki Coliseum in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
They assured the residents that Lagos State Government will look into all the requests and recommendations made by the stakeholders and respond appropriately.
The stakeholders meeting which was held to engage key residents on LCC’s plan to reopen the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge Toll Plaza, was attended by key stakeholders which included, the President of Lekki Estates Residents and Stakeholders Association (LERSA), Olorogun James Emadoye; human rights activists, the media and several other residents of Lekki, among others.
Responding to the key stakeholders who expressed their views about the LCC decision to reopen the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge Toll Plaza in April, Omotoso commended the speakers and implored them to show some understanding with the Lagos State Government.
He said: “We are here to seek your understanding as a government about the matter at hand. We are also citizens of Nigeria. We are all Lagosians. I have listened to all of you talking about our rights, privileges and how government should be responsible for everything. I also feel that as citizens, we should have some responsibilities.
“Lagos is a city of about 25million people and out of the 25million people there are about six million taxpayers and among six million taxpayers, only 4.2million are active taxpayers. So, let us reflect on all these things. I know how people feel and I understand what has been said but I believe that the matter at hand is about seeking your understanding. It is a matter of showing some compassion for people who have one thing or another to do with this company.”
Dr. Oladehinde, who also appealed to the people not to be shortsighted, said the decision of the government is not to punish people but to create an enabling environment for more jobs through private sector participation.
“What Lagos State is trying to do is to create an enabling environment to create more jobs and when you create more jobs. We should not be shortsighted. The only way to create jobs is to create an environment where we can attract the private sector to build more infrastructure in the state. Let us look at the issue from the view that we are trying to resuscitate the economy of Lagos State,” he said.
The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofi Elegushi, said the purpose of the stakeholders’ meeting was to engage key stakeholders on the matter of reopening the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge Toll Plaza.
He appealed for cooperation from the people, saying “we must all work together.”
