LCC announce plan to increase Lekki and Ikoyi toll gate tariff on February 1

A new price is set to hit toll gate users as the Lekki Concession Company
Limited has announced that it will increase the toll tariffs being
charged at the Admiralty Circle Toll Plaza on the Lekki-Epe Expressway
and the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge Toll Plaza with effect from Thursday,
February 1, 2018.

The LCC in a statement said, ‘the toll fare increase is as a result
of current economic and business realities that have adversely increased
the cost of operations and maintenance of the company’s loan
obligations’.

The Managing Director, LCC, Mohammed Hassan noted
that the feedback and recommendations received during the series of
consultations held in December 2017 with stakeholders in Eti-Osa Local
Government area and its environs considerably influenced the new toll
fares to be paid by motorists plying the Expressway and the Link Bridge.

Detailing the new development, Mr. Hassan said: “Since the
commencement of tolling in December 2011, the toll tariffs had remained
the same despite the continuous increase in the cost of operations to
ensure that the toll plazas and the road infrastructure are well
maintained. The toll review has also become necessary to enable the
company meet its loan obligations to its local and foreign lenders,
considering the fact that foreign exchange rates have continued to
increase astronomically in the last couple of years. LCC cannot continue
to operate or provide the services required from us if we do not review
the toll tariffs”. 

Many of the consulted stakeholders including traditional rulers &
community leaders, residents’ associations and youth groups, Eti-Osa
Local Government officials, members of the media as well as members of
the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Eti-Osa Local
Government Area agreed that there was a need for constant upgrade of
road facilities, as the Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe corridor was rapidly becoming
an international economic hub for investors.

Reacting to the new toll fares for branded commercial vehicles
popularly called ‘Danfo’, Chairman, National Union of Road Transport
Workers, NURTW, Jakande, Eti-Osa Local Government Chapter, Alhaji
Taofeek Oluwa, commended the foresight of LCC in consulting with leaders
and members of the NURTW in Eti-Osa LGA. Alhaji Oluwa noted that
although the toll fare review by LCC was unavoidable, the NURTW was glad
to know that LCC took their advice for a minimal increment on toll fare
from N80 to N100 (N90 for eTag users) for commercial transport buses
plying the Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe Expressway. “As long as LCC honours its
agreement of our mutual understanding at the stakeholders’ meeting, we
can confidently support LCC and the Lagos State Government by assuring
that commuters will not suffer any increase in the fare paid to board
branded commercial buses coming into or going out of Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe
Expressway. Also, if the fare increase will improve the standard of the
roads and provide more comfortable and safer journey for all road users,
NURTW will be happy to endorse the toll fare review”, Alhaji Oluwa
added.

Keeping in line with its corporate objectives of delivering real
utility to road users on the Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe Expressway and the
Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, LCC had managed operations of the roads for the
past ten years despite the yearly increase of the cost of operations
and other relevant expenses. In addition, LCC provides various other
services to road users, especially as it relate to their convenience
such as the 24/7 free vehicle breakdown and recovery services by the
Company’s Route and Incident Management team; the LCC dedicated Police
team; the Toll free Customer Service helpline and other services. Over
100,000 road users have benefited from the free service of the Route and
Incident Management team since inception, while LCC dedicated police
team has ensured improved security along the expressway.

Mr. Ebuka Oseji, a businessman resident in Ajah, who was part of the
community consultation with LCC, offered some advice saying: “It is also
pertinent for LCC as a company to continue to carry out its corporate
social responsibilities to the people in our catchment area so as to
enable them enjoy the benefits accruable from investments in the area”.

Mr. Hassan further urged motorists to take advantage of the
electronic platforms by registering for e-Tag to enable them enjoy
discounted passages and faster throughput at the plazas. The LCC’s
Managing Director said that commercial buses would enjoy discounted
passages such that transport fares will not be hiked as a result of the
reviewed tariff.