Lagos PDP, NCP fault planned increment of Lekki-Epe toll

The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned plans by the state government to increase toll charges on the Lekki-Epe and Ikoyi link roads.

The Lekki Concession Company (LCC), which manages the roads, had in a statement over the weekend said the new toll takes effect from February 1, 2018.

The PDP chairman, Mr. Moshood El-Salvador expressed shock over the development, saying, the planned toll increment would definitely bring more hardship to the people and particularly motorists plying that corridor.

According to him, “The plan has once again brought to the fore the height of insensitivity of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in connivance with LCC against hapless citizens.

“The reasons adduced for the planned increase, according to them include high operating cost and the current exchange rate of the naira to the dollar.

“This is rather laughable and a great indictment of the ruling APC at the federal level, which has demonstrated inept leadership from economy to Fulani herdsmen killings currently going across the country among other critical issues.”

Salvador noted that the concession company generates millions of naira daily from tolling with nobody having an inkling of what goes into its coffers.

“It is no doubt acting in league with the state government, which year in year out budgets billions of naira for projects without making the details available.”

The PDP chairman said it was rather strange that the new tolls planned to take effect less than one week after the announcement, saying, “This was rather suspicious because the rush leaves much to be desired. Curiously, details of the planned increase still remains speculative despite the rush to enforce it on the people.”

The PDP urged Ambode, whom it said was until recently a civil servant, whether the planned increase is justifiable against the backdrop of the state of the economy “it is even worrisome in view of the fact that the governor had at the 2018 budget presentation last year promised to raise additional revenue, which may over burden the citizens.

Meanwhile, the state’s chapter of National Conscience Party (NCP) also flays the ruling party over budget execution, poor state of security, filthy environment currently overtaken by refuse, poor water supply among others.

The NCP chairman, Fatai Ibuowo in a chat with The Guardian yesterday said the administration of governor Ambode undoubtedly has no intention of serving the people but their personal aggrandizement.

According to him, “This assertion is widely proven with the level of previous budget performance in the state amongst which are deficit in housing, water supply, transportation, security, education and environment.

“The Ambode-led APC government budgeted N813 billion in 2017, which he tagged ‘Golden Jubilee’ budget to celebrate the state at 50. The whooping amount from taxpayers was lavished on frivolities resulting into low budget performance in the state. He also made history and record breaking by presenting a budget of N1.046trn, which he tagged: ‘Budget of progress and development’ for 2018, this was nothing but a fraudulent act on the part of the government.”

He also flayed the governor’s security approach, saying, “Despite the huge amount of funds budgeted on security, there were reports of missing persons, kidnappings and ritual killings almost on daily basis.”

He added that despite the Clean Lagos Initiative (CLI) by the present administration, the state has taken several steps backward in terms of waste management.

Said he, “Despite the huge amount of funds budgeted on environment and waste management, the consistent dumping of waste in drainages, canals and also on roads in persists, which leads to obstruction of waterways.”

But the Spokesman of the ruling party, Mr. Joe Igbokwe said while the administration is open to criticism it is on record that the government of Ambode moved in with such speed that has not been known in the country before now to develop Lagos.