Bennett Oghifo
Motorists that plan to use the Lekki-Epe Expressway and the Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge have been advised to fit their vehicles with electronic payment devices known as the e-tag for swift passage at the toll plazas on these roads.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive of Lekki Concession Company, Mr. Mohammed Hassan, gave the advice during an assessment of the level of compliance to the new tariffs at the toll plazas, which came into force thursday.
There was unusual slow traffic at the gates, which the chief executive said was caused by some motorists, who claimed they were not aware of the new tariffs and so were not prepared to pay more.
The managing director who had to take up the barrier for a few minutes to bleed the traffic, said time was usually lost during such altercations that result in unnecessary long queues.
He advised motorists, whether they use the toll plazas frequently or not, to buy the electronic tag, explaining that the money they paid would remain in their accounts if they did not cross the gates.
Besides, he said the e-tag, which is like a telephone SIM card, is given to motorist for free and can be loaded from any payment channels or banks, as desired, not fixed amount. Also, holders are entitled to a discount of 10 per cent and subsequently would be given 50 per cent discount with increased use of the plazas.
To get the e-tag, he said motorists would need to present their vehicle papers and means of identification. Also, the e-tag works in other pay booths, because they recognise the device.
Traffic, he said sometimes builds up on the e-tag lane because some people try to use the fast-track without the device and did not have the exact fare as stipulated.
Hassan said the increase in toll tariffs was inevitable and that its implementation was postponed twice at the instance of Governor Akinwumi Abode, who directed them to do more consultations.
He said: “The toll review was agreed on after series of engagements with the various stakeholders along the Lekki Peninsula corridor.â€
Hassan said the increase became necessary “as a result of the current business realities and increasing cost of operation.
“Since the commencement of tolling in December 2011, the toll tariffs had remained the same despite the increase in the cost of our operations to ensure that the toll plazas and the road infrastructure are well maintained.â€
Another reason he gave for the increase in tariffs was 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.
“It is worthy of mention that despite the yearly increase in the cost of operation, LCC has continued to provide various services to ensure it operates and manages the roads in a way that delivers real utility to road users especially as it relates to their convenience services such as the 24/7 free vehicle breakdown and recovery services by the company’s Route and Incident Management team, who have assisted over a 100,000 road users since inception in 2009, LCC dedicated Police to ensure the security of road users, LCC dedicated LASTMA, toll free customer service helpline in addition to road maintenance and other benefits.â€
Motorists that used the two toll plazas yesterday generally complied with the increase in tariffs, which stipulates that commercial transport buses and motorcycles plying the Lekki-Ajah axis will now pay N100 instead of N80 they paid previously. Those with e-tag will pay N90.
Saloon cars and tricycles will now pay N200 from N120 but N180 with e-tag; SUVs, pick ups and light buses, N250, N225 e-tag; trucks and buses with one heavy axle N400 and N360 with e-tag; heavy trucks and buses with more than one heavy axle, N1,000 and N900 with e-tag.
At the toll plaza of the Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge, saloon cars will pay N300 and N270 with e-tag; SUVs, mini-vans, light pick-up trucks will pay N400 and N360 with e-tag; non-commercial buses with maximum capacity of 26 seats, N1,000 and N900 with e-tag; and motorcycles with 200cc capacity and above will pay N200 and N180 with e-tag.
