Lagos Residents Protest Against Lekki Toll Fee

Thanks for all the shared views. The issue is not that the road is tolled but that it is in bad faith.
1. Compared to other countries where there are tolled roads, our does not have alternative route/road. That means, you don't have a right to choose. We are prisoners.
2. There is no government presence in that axis, which carries 63% of Lagos State land mass. No fire service, hospital, water works, senior secondary school, recreation centers, to mention but a few.
3. 23.5 kilometers with 3 toll-gates at N120 per car per use, in a country where we live on $1 (N150) per day.
4. At least another three more will be built before Epe at 10 kilometers apart; which will bring it to six toll plazas.
5. All that says government cannot expand or maintain are not saying the truth. We have the money.
6. There are three roads in Lekki, two yet to be constructed and this one that is facing one lane expansion. The existing one and the proposed two are concession to ONE company- LCC. The other two are also to be tolled when constructed. Again, where is the opportunity to choose.
7. Some people say, that is what is obtainable in other economies- agreed, those economies are developed. A petrol attendant earns between N3,000 - N5,000 per month, the manual labourers, tailors, bricklayers, e.t.c., will suffer for living in Lekki/Eti-Osa.
8. The public outcry against the toll would have not happened if there was ALTERNATIVE road for other road users; as done in the places you are comparing Lekki to.
9. FYI, the one lane addition will collapse before the old two lanes constructed 28 years ago due to the quality of the construction.
10. Let us celebrate the good things that are introduced and condemn the ones that are not properly done.
11. A family with two cars will pay N1,440 per day; N43,200 per month and N518,000 per annum for driving on 23.5 kilometers; is that not an affliction. Will that not impoverish that family? Will they not alter figures in their places of work or begin to look for money at all cost to meet that Toll-need created? We are encouraging corruption. The above calculation is based on a return trip only. If you make any above going to and fro, it will increase.
12. Nigeria is not a poor country, we do not need any foreign investor to construct roads in Nigeria; if we manage our resources well. Tolled road can be inter-state not intra-city. Where you have them intra-city, it is meant to reduce congestion. Is that the case here? Some people are putting their houses for sale to move to other parts of Lagos and Ogun state. We are Nigerians, we desire the best for our country but not SLAVERY.

I will like to remind all of us that we would be remembered for two things, the problems we CAUSED or the problems we SOLVED. Our past leaders had equal opportunities to plunder the nation but they refused and thought of the future generations. When the high rise- Cocoa House and television/radio stations were built in the country, we were not this exposed. We are a mini-local government, we provide everything for ourselves in Lekki, 98% of the roads are privately built, we pay to secure our lives, sink bore holes for water, etc. Do we DESERVE the punishment, extortion or affliction in Lekki, that we are now offered?

Posterity will judge... I wish them well in their pursuit to enslave the citizens. Happy new year

@Ayour Pee, i am sure you live with your parents to be writing this kind of comments

have you for once considered the impact of i.e people living in Ajah will pay N600 everyday. they will still need to maintain their vehicles, they will be inflation in market owing to the tolling, people in lekki will still pay tax to govt and pay N173,000 on the road for every singular trip to the island.why would people pay tax inorder to be enslaved?

for the fact that people did not complain on NEPA tarrifs doesnot mean we should continue to allow politicians slave the coming generations for 30 years

this is beyond hoping for a party to bring about cancellation but for nigeria to stand and insist on quality governance

the problem with our government is that they copy wrongly, if the BOT is the in thing now worldwide why not do it properly here without greed and corruption. why is it the every aspect of this lekki concession is shrouded in secrecy.

I support the efforts of the stakeholders and residents

Nigerians want good things of life but they do not know that good things come with sacrifices. I am disappointed that elites like Adegboruwa and Ajagu, who i believe have travelled worldwide and know what obtains abroad, are championing these protests.

Not that I am against their expression of opinions but it is very wrong to create this widely believed impression that the project is only meant to fill Tinubu's pocket. I beg people to visit the subject road and assess the good things going on around there. Alternative roads, reduced rates and constant maintenance of the road should be what we should be negotiating with the government at this point in time.

Lagosians, we need to endure to enjoy, we need to make sacrifices to move to the next level. We need a government like this which is thinking for us and mapping out ways we can live like humanbeings. NEPA had increased tariffs so many times ... where is the light? Billions have been sunk on road projects at federal level .... where are the roads? Police salaries have been increased from time to time .... where is the security? And in all these failures at 'rich' federal level ... where is Adegboruwa and Ajagu?????

As for those trying to politicise the project, you have alternative - vote PDP into power and feel the heavenly fire on earth!!!

BOT is a good way of rapidly developing public infrastructure. However, the Lekki project should be examined with a view to reviewing the terms of engagement.

This is an example of people standing up to these fools.Well done to the clerics for standing up to these rogues. I wish the same could apply to the upper echelon of these clerics and so we can then tell the govt enough is enough. Every day for the thief one day for the owner. BEWWARE!!!!

I appreciate the fine commemt of Sam (Malaysia). Instead of protesting for Toll cancelling where in future this beautiful road will not be maintain, why not ask for Toll Reduction. Granted, our leaders are corrupt, what if Akala was the gorvernor of Lagos what would we have done, frankly speaking NOTHING, we will only shout. Now that the road is done, lets us embrase it and ask for Toll reduction and alternative road so that peace will rain as it has being.
Remember, Human government are allowed to exist by God, soon he will sweep them all away.

Your Excellency, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola please summon the courage to review the LCC agreement. LASG need to pay-off LCC and revert the project to public owned. LCC can still have the proposed coastal road to develop and toll...believe me...the coastal road is still needed to compliment the current and future development of the Lekki axis.

I agree that The PPP Initiative is good for our much needed infrastructural development. However, the projects must be conceived with the interest of the general public in mind. LCC and other rouge "would be" financiers should be warned that collaboration with greedy government officials to exploit the public under the guise of PPP agreement would be vigorously (and violently as the case may be) resisted/rejected.

Build, operate and transfer (BOT) is a major instrument of project finance worldwide, and has been driving phenomenal developmental projects around the globe. We should take care to criticize constructively and not destructively.

While it is debatable whether there should have been up to three tolls on the road or whether the amount proposed is too high or not are other issues - and very valid ones too. I equally know that the scheme would benefit some strategically placed politicians.

However, the concept, and indeed the project including the toll per se, is not bad at all. In fact it is good for Nigeria. It is a concept in domestic and international development that we cannot afford to be seen to despise. It will build our infrastructure, enhance development and improve the quality of life.

Regarding the argument that good roads are our entitlement, I agree, but please be informed that there are substantial international investors who pumped money into the project. If you care and can, try and read about the concept and financing of the project.

Please, while we all criticize sleaze and incompetence in Nigeria, let us remember not to burn our fingers. My thinking is that Fashola should review valid concerns such as the number of tolls relative to the stretch of road and the amount proposed to be collected, but let us not roll back the hand of the developmental clock in Nigeria.

In a decent society, tolls are only introduced on alternative roads with aim to solve traffic problems on the original route or road. The Lekki/ Epe road is an old road, dualized but never completed. Towards Epe end this road is "face me I face you" with a lot of road accidents claiming innocent lives every week.

The government should have completed this road first to reduce the traffic problems including road accidents. The people in this axis should sue the government to court for various accidents that occured and claimed lives simply because of the government's non charllant attitude for not completing the construction for more than a decade.

The introduction of toll plaza on this road is to cut Epe town and its villages out of Lagos and to make lives unbearable as the cost of transportation will be unavoidable.

The State Government if it is citizens serving, should endeavor to complete the road construction so that the Lagosians on this part of Lagos can commute as they like without restriction.

Secondly, this road is as old as Lagos State. Epe town was carved out of Ijebu Land which is Ogun State so that they can witness development and not hardship. Since the tome Epe was carved to be part of Lagos, the only and only road that linked it to Lagos is still being used. No alternative roads.

Those who built the toll plaza are rogues and armed robbers. They knew that the system they are introducing to Nigeria is not the same from where they copied it or transferred the technology from..

In USA it takes decades of years before a toll plaza can be introduced. It has to be in master plan and acceptable by the people. The question now is that; is this Epe/Lekki road Toll Plaza in the master plan? Did the government listen to the affected people.

If government wants Toll Plaza, they should build a belt way round Lagos Island and Epe or Epe and Ikorodu. They can then put a toll plaza on the belt way with a lot of signs informing the road users that you can opt for other road if you don't want to pay for toll fare.

The people of Epe / Lekki road should take Lagos State to court and the dubious company that was incorporated purposefully to reap off masses.

The one at Ikeja airport should be abolished as the plaza is irrelevant at the place. The government should stop fooling its citizens.

Lagos State Government, stop fooling us. Enough is enough.

In a decent society, tolls are only introduced on alternative roads with aim to solve traffic problems on the original route or road. The Lekki/ Epe road is an old road, dualized but never completed. Towards Epe end this road is "face me I face you" with a lot of road accidents claiming innocent lives every week.

The government should have completed this road first to reduce the traffic problems including road accidents. The people in this axis should sue the government to court for various accidents that occured and claimed lives simply because of the government's non charllant attitude for not completing the construction for more than a decade.

The introduction of toll plaza on this road is to cut Epe town and its villages out of Lagos and to make lives unbearable as the cost of transportation will be unavoidable.

The State Government if it is citizens serving, should endeavor to complete the road construction so that the Lagosians on this part of Lagos can commute as they like without restriction.

Secondly, this road is as old as Lagos State. Epe town was carved out of Ijebu Land which is Ogun State so that they can witness development and not hardship. Since the tome Epe was carved to be part of Lagos, the only and only road that linked it to Lagos is still being used. No alternative roads.

Those who built the toll plaza are rogues and armed robbers. They knew that the system they are introducing to Nigeria is not the same from where they copied it or transferred the technology from..

In USA it takes decades of years before a toll plaza can be introduced. It has to be in master plan and acceptable by the people. The question now is that; is this Epe/Lekki road Toll Plaza in the master plan? Did the government listen to the affected people.

If government wants Toll Plaza, they should build a belt way round Lagos Island and Epe or Epe and Ikorodu. They can then put a toll plaza on the belt way with a lot of signs informing the road users that you can opt for other road if you don't want to pay for toll fare.

The people of Epe / Lekki road should take Lagos State to court and the dubious company that was incorporated purposefully to reap off masses.

The one at Ikeja airport should be abolished as the plaza is irrelevant at the place. The government should stop fooling its citizens.

Lagos State Government, stop fooling us. Enough is enough.

Ah Black People so hard to govern. See if you all dont like it, the rich are not taxed right. Petrol is Subsidised, many of us dont report our taxes right. See if we want the best, we need this type of indirect taxes. I know yes we feel that Tinubu is enjoying from this, we pay our taxes, people on government enjoying our tax money,etc. But see those your Jeep would wear and tear faster than you think. With good roads like those your property can appreciate. See this PDP people in lekki are deceiving you, if they come in you will all weep. I am not an ACN member, i am just being logical. To transform Lagos it would take more than the ordinary billions internally generated. We need trillions. BRF is a man and not perfect, has done a fantastic Job and even now he is trying to do more.

@ Agha Egwu, can you please tell the world where the alternative road/route for people who do not want to ply the road is pls ?
i wonder y mr Fashola deemed it best to spend N6.5 b of lagos taxpayers money this way ?
what is the population the road will serve, does that population justify the investment ? is this the road that is the No 1 priority in Lagos? is this governance ?
na whah!!!!!
Eko o ni baje oooo

@ Agha Egwu, can you please tell the world where the alternative road/route for people who do not want to ply the road is pls ?
i wonder y mr Fashola deemed it best to spend N6.5 b of lagos taxpayers money this way ?
what is the population the road will serve, does that population justify the investment ? is this the road that is the No 1 priority in Lagos? is this governance ?
na whah!!!!!
Eko o ni baje oooo

No man can be delivered except he first deliver himself internally. Deliverance is nigh!

They need to know that they are not the only smart people around, the veils had been removed... please tell all those who thought they can smartly cheat us that its over!

You pay 20-25% on all incomes and benefits as tax in Lagos... what do we get back... 23KM road with 3 toll plaza wonderful!

Men and women of honour, I want us not to condemn Fashola totally. Although, too many tolls amount to extortion, however, government cannot maintain these expensive roads without charging tolls. HOWEVER, THE PROTESTERS SHOULD NOT ACCEPT THIS NEW TOLL. But, I wonder how many of us on this forum have visited this road. If these roads are bad in the future and government refuses to repair, people will continue to shout and government will vindicate herself because of toll cancellation.
How many road users in Oju elegba, Oshodi, Daleko, Ikeja and other suburbs are enjoying better roads like Lekki? This forum should not condemn outright payment of tolls.
Advanced countries charge tolls to limit useless trips and reduce accidents. This will make the roads last longer and keep commuters safe. All Mega cities in the world have tolls. Lagos should not be an exemption. Malaysia, South Africa, Canada and many advanced countries charge tolls.
WE SHOULD NOT CONDEMN FASHOLA, at the same time the people of Lekki SHOULD NOT ACCEPT THIS NEW TOLL. But, we on this forum should not condemn tolls if we want to keep enjoying good roads. I MAY SOUND STUPID TO SOME, But this is a bitter truth. Useless PDP politicians will later come and say they will not charge any tolls and when roads are bad they will ignore us.
We will be happy in Ibadan if Akala can build roads and charge tolls. But, no toll, no road. What a shame!!!!!

This is a good development in Nigeria. Here is a country that copies all sorts of things from other countries but never copy the pre-requisites underlying such initiative. If you want to establish a tolled road, an alternative should have been in existence. The so-called laughable alternative outlined on a distributed bulletin covered only the Lekki Phase 1 part of the road, but ignored the Ikate-Ajiwe (second round-about to after-Ajah) long axis. Sheer hypocrisy at work. Of course Hi-Tech is jointly owned by Tinubu and Chagouris, which brings to light the plan to forever plunge Lagosians into slavery. The nonsense must stop NOW, or else Lagosians must enjoy this life-long shuffering-and-shmiling (tribute to FELA).

BRF and his lawyer mentality is backfiring.
Well, he did take 60% of Lagos's revenue and internally generated income and poured it into a dream "Dubai of Nigeria" project only to get his dream dashed by the same elites he has assiduously labored for.

1. No toll gates, so it seems.
2. The PDP LG now belongs to PDP. The whole of the same Lekki belongs to the opposition.
3. The entire Lekki where he's sunk billions is now becoming a big sticky tar baby for him.

I would say this a hundred times.
Shame and shame and shame on BRF for been selective in developing Lagos. I am sure a worse fate awaits him in Badagry, and I hope the same elites will come vote him for a 2nd term come next year.

Choose your revolution very carefully. Save it until after the elections. A stop to polling will discourage other Build-Operate and Transfer projects and stall development. The toll must go on but there must be an option not to use the toll road (in the form of a smaller, traffic-jam ridden and slower road) next to the tolled expressway. That is the way civilized countries do it. You can pay the toll and reach your destination in 15 minutes or spend an hour on the same road and avoid the toll. Think about it, will you protest paying for steady electricity?

i totally disagree with the first commentator,EGHA EGWU.we are all entitled to these social amenities,it is our right,another point is we pay our taxes regularly indirectly through the petroleum products we buy daily,this road was concessioned only to make money,exploits lagosians and we must say no to that.IF CARE IS NOT TAKEN GOV.fashola will learn the hard way.

Can someone please tell me how we hope to build all the roads we need in Nigeria without tolls. That is what is being used to build the Ibadan Expressway - BOT - Build Operate and transfer. Americans and British pay huge taxes to get all the social amenities they want. Tolling is an indirect tax on those who use the social amenities of roads - the motorist. If this tolling does not take place, Lagos State Government will have to pay for it - and it will be a warning on any other Engineers that BOT does not work in Nigeria. That alone will shelve such plans. We have to choose between tolling on roads and government spending money on it. Theoretically, in a functioning system, I would rather pay toll and government money go into into schools and hospitals. The downside of this argument is that the money saved will invasriably go into private pockets - and that is where I think our protest emergies should be directed. Having said that, it is a good thing that Nigerians are learning to protest. But I hope on this occasion Government stands its ground so that future BOT operators will have faith. It is BOT that can build and maintain the good network of roads wewneed in Nigeria.

Tinubu has a case to answer on this issue. Who owns LCC/Hitech? Why have they singled out Lekki/Epe axis of Lagos for tolling? Why was the coastal road abandoned? I'm waiting to hear from Joe Igbokwe on this issue. Fashola beware or this issue may cost you your re-election

I have been wodering why the governor did not toll stadium road or Iba-Lasu road. Instead 3 tolls are being provided on a 23km road with no alternative by pass. What kind of nation are we in. Thank God people are able to say no to injustice and exploitation. God bless Nigeria

It is only in Nigeria that Govt could concieve the idea of a toll gate on a road that has no alternative to and fro. In other words, whether the people like it or not, they have to pay even if it means everyday especially for the residents. What a shame!!

This shows nigerians have become aware of their rights,The revolution has began, No to tolling, No to tax free Income to Asiwaju,s grandchildren......

Certainly a different kind of revolution has begun in Nigeria. The days of passivity are drawing near as people become aware that you live with what you tolerate. This is a good sign for our country. Sahara Reporters, keep up the good work.

Aluta Continua....Victoria Ascerta!