From Wednesday, January 1, 2019, cash payments will cease to be accepted at the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge Toll Plaza. This information was revealed by authorities in charge of the Lekki Concession Company.
No more cash payment @ Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge Toll Plaza – Wednesday 1st January 2020.
Road users that ply the route were notified of this new development through giant banners which have been on display at the stated area since Monday, December 2, 2019. The banners are meant to ensure commercial and private road users are fully aware in due time to avoid issues when they are hindered passage due to failure to comply. However, the company has made no official statement about plans to migrate to electronic payment at the bridge, though contact details were placed on the banner for more enquiries.
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It will be recalled that in December 2018, when campaign for the 2019 general election was at its peak, that the then governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (now Governor), Babajide Sanwo-Olu, visited the Lekki-Epe Expressway and paid the toll fee for drivers that drove through the route for an hour. As Governor in July, 2019, Sanwo-Olu opened the plazas to motorists and his government noted that it was in continuation of “real simulation survey’’ of the situation of traffic in the Lekki-Epe and Ikoyi axis, with the major aim of reducing congestion in this area and allow for easy passage of motorists. The Governor also went further to state that by October 2019, the tolling system would become completely electronic.
A statement from Gboyega Akosile, the Chief Press Secretary to Lagos State’s Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, explained that the toll-free passage in July on the Lekki-Epe Expressway and the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge would run between the hours of 6:30 am and 9:30 am, and 4:30pm to 7:30pm. This development received appraisal from the public as the toll-free hours facilitated quick movement for workers whose offices were located in the concerned areas; the risk of traffic congestion was equally reduced.
By November however, the Lekki Concession Company upgraded its tolling system at both the Link Bridge and the Admiralty Plaza, located at the Lekki-Epe Expressway. The company noted that the tolling system upgrade was in a bid to serve the public better through the enhancement and modernization of services rendered at the Plazas. While system upgrade was ongoing, electronic passages at the Toll Plazas and payment platforms online were impacted from November 9-15, 2019. Customers’ toll accounts such as e-Tag, and Swift Pass, were migrated to the newly installed system.
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The official Twitter account of the Lekki Concession Company released an official statement in relation to the banners placed at the routes:
From the 1st of January, 2020, we will not be receiving cash payments at the Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge. Only electronic payments will be accepted. Therefore, register for your eTags or get your electronic cards or vouchers from any of our customer service centers.
Sources:
Punch NG
PM News Nigeria
Featured Image Source: PM News Nigeria
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