Leadership (Abuja)
29 December 2011
editorial
On Sunday, December 18, toll collectors at the Eti-Osa/Lekki Epe expressway, had their first fee-paying customer, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, when he drove his Range Rover Sports Utility van across their toll bar. It was symbolic. The issue of toll collection in that axis has become somewhat controversial since it was concessioned to Messrs Lekki Concessioning Company.
For 11 months Lekki residents frustrated efforts of the State government to actualized the Public-Private Partnership agreement because they felt it was the responsibility of government to provide public infrastructure such as roads.
Each time the administration attempted to bring up the merits of providing modern facilities to achieve the dream of developing Lagos into a megacity, protesters have strongly resisted. They have been blackmail attempts such as the display of the picture of a dead body on the highway on the eve of the inauguration of the toll. In an attempt to broker peace Fashola has asked that those violently protesting the charges on the concessioned highway not be prosecuted. He has even had to direct that the company be paid what the people should have paid from the treasury of Lagos government. For 11 months, N4bn was released to the concessionaires.
We agree with the sentiment of the Lagosians who felt asking them to pay was an additional burden on the over-taxed people of Lagos State. But we are concerned that the dividends of democracy may not be actualized if we do not harness the advantages of the global initiative of public private (sector) partnership (PPP). We are certain that the wheel of governance could grind to a halt if it is unable to find sources of income that can be utilized to provide essential services. We have always held that Nigerians are willing to pay for good quality services. This includes the Lekki/Epe road. The 49-kilometre road is world class and surpasses the death traps called roads in many of our cities, towns and villages across Nigeria.
For this reason, we crave the understanding of those plying the road. Most residents of Lekki are middle class and upper class Nigerians and should be able to subsidize the road. The ground for imposing the fees equally calls for shared responsibility between the people and the government of Lagos. Since January 3, 2011, the Raji Fashola administration has been consulting with stakeholders and opposition elements on this toll saga.
Appealing to the sensibilities of people is a key concern in democracy. We urge Lekki residents to give peace a chance. Fashola has demonstrated that he is a governor who feels for his people. The discomfort of paying more bills is understandable, but repeated protest would only allow the road to become like the majority of roads in Nigeria if they choose not to pay.
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