The fear that tolling may resume on the Lekki/Ikoyi tollgate has forced some residents of Lagos to apply for e-tags.
The Lagos State government says the tags will be the only mode of access through the Lekki/Ikoyi tollgate from April 15.
JUST IN
— Nigeria Info FM 99.3 (@NigeriainfoFM) April 1, 2022
LCC resumes tolling operations at the Lekki-Ikoyi Toll Plaza.
However, Correspondent Emmanuel Onwuka reports that motorists will be required to pay for using the bridge from April 15.#NigeriaInfo993 pic.twitter.com/65WrbreGVb
The applications for the e-tags are coming at a time of strong opposition to the plan to resume tolling at two toll gates in the state.
The opposition is from activists who are still protesting the shooting of EndSARS demonstrators by the Nigerian military on October 20, 2020.
Keep the Tollgate open and free or we will shut it down again. We say no to collection of N500m daily blood money. #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/XGkjG1ctR8
— Comrade Deji Adeyanju (@adeyanjudeji) March 30, 2022
It is also coming from residents of the affluent areas of Lekki and Ikoyi who complain that tolling would add to the already harsh economic condition in Nigeria.
One of the persons who has paid for an e-tag told Nigeria Info reporter Emmanuel Onwuka that he had no option.
“I completely understand the feelings of the people who feel like it's a betrayal,” he said. “I have five businesses within the Lekki region. It is literally impossible for me to run them without passing through these toll gates. The alternative route is not a real alternative.”
Another person said he wants to be on a safe side because “government always wins most of the time.”
