LEKKI-IKOYI TOLL: LAGOS LAWMAKERS DISAGREE WITH FASHOLA

Plenary session of the Lagos State House of Assembly was yesterday thrown into a hot debate when a motion on the Concession Agreement for Electronic Tolling System (ETS) of the Lekki-Ikoyi Toll Bridge was moved by the Leader of the House, Ajibayo Adeyeye.

While presenting the motion, Adeyeye representing Kosofe constituency II, said “that pursuant to the Lagos State Public Private Partnership Law, 2011, this House do resolve to approve the request for the ratification of the electronic tolling system operations and maintenance; concession terms and conditions for the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge and approval of the fare regime, as forwarded by Attorney-General/Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State.”

The motion had been seconded by Sultan Adeniji-Adele, representing Amuwo-Odofin constituency 1, and Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji, rewpresenting Ikeja constituency I, was about to approve it, when the Deputy Speaker, Taiwo Kolawole, who represents Ajeromi-Ifelodun constituency I, observed that the opinions of members were not sought by the Speaker.

Ikuforiji, however, agreed with his deputy and gave room for members to air their views on the proposal by the state executive arm.

In his remarks, chairman, Committee on Information, Security, Strategy and Publicity, Segun Olulade, representing Epe constituency II, said, “some things are not clear because of the volume of the document and its value to Lagosians. We should put away the tolling for now as this would not affect the commissioning.”

On his part, Bisi Yusuf, Alimosho 1, said “if you look at the volume of the document, you will discover that it needs a thorough and analytical mind to analyse it.
Deputy Speaker, Kolawole noted “As far as I am concerned, this has nothing to do with PPP law. This is not about provision of infrastructure because the bridge has already been constructed using the taxpayers’ money.

So, why should we still toll a bridge that we have built with our money?

Speaker Ikuforiji, who disagreed with almost all the lawmakers who spoke against the tolling proposal, said the House should be blamed for not raising these concerns earlier, when the state government was proposing the construction of the bridge.
Some of the lawmakers however, refused to accept the blame, because, according to them, the government did not avail them the opportunity to ratify details of the project.

It would be recalled that a letter from the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ade Ipaye, was read on the floor of the House on Monday, seeking the “Ratification of the electronic tolling system operation, maintenance, concession terms and conditions for the Lekki-Ikoyi toll bridge.”

After much deliberation on the matter, the House adjourned the plenary till Thursday, when they hope to take a stand on the matter.

The bridge will however be commissioned today, Wednesday, by the state governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola.

Source: My Daily Newswatch