Lagos State Government has urged Lagosians, 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 appeal was made by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho, and his counterparts in Transport, Dr. Fredericks Oladehinde as well as Home Affairs, Prince Anofi Elegushi, during a stakeholders’ meeting yesterday at the Lekki Coliseum in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
They assured the residents that the government would look into the requests and recommendations made by the stakeholders and respond.
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 other residents of Lekki.
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 hailed the speakers and implored them to show 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.”
Oladehinde, who also appealed to the people not to be shortsighted, said the decision of the government was not to punish people, but to create an enabling environment for more jobs through private sector participation.
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.”
The Managing Director/CEO of Lekki Concession Company Limited (LCC), Mr. Yomi Omomuwasan, said the resumption of operations was necessary for the company not to default on its payment of local and international loans, as well as to cater for the welfare of its workers.