The Stakeholders Forum on Lekki-Epe Expressway Expansion Project is a coalition of pressure groups agitating for the review of the proposed tolling of the Lekki-Epe Expressway.
The Stakeholders Forum on Lekki-Epe Expressway Expansion Project is a coalition of pressure groups agitating for the review of the proposed tolling of the Lekki-Epe Expressway.
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They comprise indigenes, businesses and residents of the Lekki Ajah axis. Our reporter, Dominic Nwelih just after the recent public protest against the project, caught up with Adewale Sanni, a lawyer and Convener of the group. In this exclusive interview, Sanni speaks about why they are opposed to the project.
What is the Stakeholders Forum on Lekki-Epe Expressway Expansion Project about?
The Stakeholders Forum on Lekki-Epe Expressway Expansion Project is a group comprising residents of housing estates and owners of commercial interests in Lekki, opposed to aspects of the concession agreement between Lekki Concession Company (LCC) and Lagos State government. The controversial aspects of the agreement which forms the basis for our agitation are based on the facts that three toll plazas would be erected and operated by LCC for thirty years of the concession period. In addition they would fence off the highway. If this is allowed to happen communities historically and socially connected would be artificially disconnected; thereby destroying the existing cross-cultural relationship that has existed between various communities along the axis.
How was this group formed?
The Stakeholders Forum on Lekki-Epe Expressway Expansion Project was formed out of the Eti-Osa Heritage Group, of which I’m the president. The Eti-Osa Heritage Group is a socio-cultural organization, comprising indigenes of Eti-Osa whose interest is for the advancement of Eti-Osa community. Initially we had been leading the struggle against the erection of tolls plazas and the fence. Our agitation continued, and recently this year non- indigenes of Eti-Osa and residents in the various estates along this axis including Victoria Garden City (VGC), Lekki Phase I, Femi Okunnu, Abraham Adesanya, Goshen, Jakande even up to Corporative Villa Estate, as well as business owners in the community, having heard and observed all that we have been doing now stepped up to join our struggle; that we may be able to speak with one voice.
Why do you think the idea is unpopular, despite the gains it portends for the community?
This is because this road has been in existence for about 30 years now – toll free and without a fence. In addition, the road was commissioned in 1982, when in fact Eti-Osa contributed next to nothing to the revenue profile of the state. However, the case is different now because the state government now generates a fair amount of its internally generated revenue from this community – in form of levies from building permits, land use charges and other taxes. Moreover, the concessionaire is merely adding one lane on each side to an already existing road. They are not building an entire new road from scratch. In addition residents realize that merely expanding the road to three lanes would not solve the perennial traffic snarl we experience along this highway. A good example could be observed along the completed portion of the highway – from the Law School up till Exxon Mobil. Consequently, paying tolls would amount to paying for inconvenience. Besides, Eti-Osa community lacks basic infrastructure compared to other areas in the state. We lack schools, hospitals, good roads and other basic infrastructure. In spite of all these I have mentioned, government and the concessionaire now want to add more to our burden by asking us to pay tolls. This is insensitive.
LCC has repeatedly stressed that alternative routes would be provided around each of the toll plazas – for instance Oniru Market Road was constructed to serve as an alternative route. Why does it seem so difficult for the communities to accept the alternative routes?
To be honest, all what they refer to, as alternative routes are not alternative routes. A proper alternative route should be one that runs parallel to Lekki-Epe Expressway like the coastal road they plan to construct. Unfortunately that road would also be tolled by LCC. This idea of meandering through the toll plazas is simply ridiculous. The state government know the proper thing to do, but would not; because they are after their selfish interests.
LCC has also always emphasized that fencing along portions of the highway is primarily for safety concerns. Lately there have been cases of stray animals roaming across the highway, which has resulted in near fatal accidents. Don’t you think they have a point?
It’s deceitful for the concessionaire to tell us that the reason for fencing the highway is borne out of safety concerns. If the main reason for erecting the fence is primarily to address safety concerns as it claims, there are other ways to go about it – for instance they could erect a concrete barrier that is a few feet high – as is the case with bridges. With such a structure in place, incidents of stray animals and vehicles roaming into the highway from unauthorized spots would be checked. The truth about the matter is that the fence would be used to place adverts. This is quite apparent around 1004 and law school area. Part of LCC’s agreement with the state government also mandates them to take responsibility for earning money through advert placement along the highway.
How has the Stakeholders Forum on Lekki-Epe Expressway Expansion Project gone about with its struggle and how does it derive funds?
In the cause of our struggle we have held meetings with the state government and law makers. We have also conducted media parleys, all in a bid to get our message across. We derive financial support through individual donations from members.
Lately there have been rumors that an opposition party is behind your agitation. Is this correct?
That’s totally incorrect and a cheap blackmail. We are not a political group. On the contrary many of our members are supporters of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). LCC already has an agreement with the state government concerning the concession.
Don’t you think your agitation is coming a bit too late?
No, on the contrary, every agreement has clauses for termination. I think what the state government should do is review the agreement or revoke it out rightly and then pay the concessionaire off. They could be allowed to construct the coastal road and erect their toll plazas there, but not this one that has served the community for about thirty years. Tolling this highway would further impoverish those living in this community.
Do you think terminating the agreement is feasible in view of the fact that the state government has said going back on it would be counterproductive, because of how it would be perceived by the international community and potential investors. What is your take on that?
It’s a tragedy that our government – most especially Lagos state government, is obsessed with pleasing foreign investors to the detriment of the overall wellbeing of the citizenary. Our leaders have become bootlickers to these people and it’s a shame. You can’t please foreign investors at the expense of the masses. We all know our leaders are biased towards foreign institutions, because of their selfish gains.
Culled from the latest edition of Island News
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