Popular singer turned politician, Banky W, has slammed the Lagos State Government’s decision to reopen the Lekki-Ikoyi bridge toll collection in April.
The Lekki Toll Gate, including the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, has been closed since October 2020, during the peaceful EndSARS protest that ended in a massacre when men of the Nigerian Army open fire on unarmed, flag-bearing protesters.
However while appearing on Arise TV on Wednesday, March 16, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said the Lekki Concession Company which is managing the toll gate owes local lenders about N11.6bn and foreign lenders $31.1m.
He argued that the reopening was inevitable but stated that while operations would begin on April 1st, fees would not be collected until April 15th.
Reacting in a tweet on Friday, Banky W slammed the Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led government for lacking empathy, adding that the timing of the decision was unfair, owing to the hardship Lagos residents are experiencing amidst fuel scarcity and unstable power supply, amongst others.
He wrote, ”The intended resumption of collections at the Lekki toll gate is yet another example of a serious lack of empathy by the Lagos State Govt. Life in Nigeria has been extremely difficult.
”Lagos State is exhibiting a blatant disregard – not just for the pain felt by all the young people who were hurt by the events of #EndSARS, but also the pain and difficulty being experienced by the majority of Lagosians just trying to survive in these difficult times.”
