Residents of Eti- Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State on Friday appealed to the Lagos State Government to provide an alternative route along the Lekki-Ajah Road to reduce the stress on commuters using the route.
They made the appeal in separate interviews during a peaceful protest organised by a group called ‘Eti- Osa Development Forum’ in Lagos.
One of the residents, Dimeji Usman, said that government could create good and standard alternative routes for those that could not afford the toll being charged at the toll plazas on the road.
Usman said: “Toll gates in other developed countries are not compulsory for people because they always have alternative routes.
“I believe that this entire toll hike is a scam because despite the money made for years by the operators, the road is still bad with poor drainage system.
“This road is very bad, especially during the raining season, when everywhere is usually filled with water.
“Infant, the Lagos State Government and Lekki Concession Company should be considerate by providing permanent and favourable solutions to toll hike.”
Also speaking, Dayo Aina, a business woman, who resides in Ajah said that government and LCC need to explain to the citizens why the increased toll on the Lekki-Ajah Expressway.
Aina said: “A country that has law and order should be able to provide an explanation on the sudden increase in toll.
“I normally spend N400 on this road but yesterday I spent over N800 due to the toll hike.
“This is so unfair because many people are still suffering from the economic meltdown adding hiking toll will affect so many people.”
Michael Mfon, a driver said that total cancellation of toll gate or provision of alternative route would be the best solution.
Mfon said that increasing toll was a punishment to everybody that pays tax regularly.
He said: “I hope government can be considerate by reverting to the former toll or create an alternative route for those who may not be able to afford it.”
Also speaking, Martha Iyiola, a businesswoman urged the state government and the LCC to intensify efforts to end toll hike.
Iyiola said that it would alleviate the sufferings of road users and other Nigerians.
She said: “The sudden increase of toll is too much because I pass through this toll gate 15 times a week.
“Most people are managing and smiling because of the economic situations in Nigeria.
“Government did not increase workers’ salaries but they still want people to give out from their little salaries.”
NAN reports that the tolls being paid by various categories of vehicles were increased on February 1 by LCC.
