Lagos ACN Pleads For Understanding On LASU, Lekki-Epe Expressway

The Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, has appealed to Lagosians to exercise patience and understanding with the Lagos State government on the twin issues of increment of fees for Lagos State University students and toll collection on the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

The party says the actions of the Lagos State government were informed by the desire to leave indelible landmarks in Lagos and ensure Lagosians get the best of every sector.

In a statement issued in Lagos and signed by the party’s Lagos State Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, the party said it is not unmindful of the weight the increment of fees will exert on Lagosians but said the increment, which is only for incoming students, is effected to ensure the university is upgraded to one of the best institutions around. It equally said it is proud of the type of work done on the Lekki-Epe Expressway and that the toll on the road is to ensure that such high standards are maintained and spread to other parts of the state.

“We want to assure Lagosians that the Lagos State government has always meant well for Lagosians and the present case of LASU is not different. We want to let Lagosians know that the decision to increase fees for only incoming students was informed by the best of intentions. It was to ensure that LASU is not only adequately funded but also provided with all the necessary infrastructures to raise it to an enviable standard so as to compete with the best schools in Africa and the world.

“On the Lekki-Epe Expressway, we want to state that the road was concessioned to a company, which provided a world class road. The toll is only natural since the company must recover what it spent on the road. We call on Lagosians to demonstrate understanding on this issue and we want to point out that alternative roads have been provided for those that do not want to pay. We believe this is fair enough to encourage competent companies to invest in our decaying infrastructures.

“Concessioning is a way of saving scarce funds for other sectors and if we acknowledge that Lagos requires over $50 billion to build and upgrade its infrastructural needs, we will see the wisdom in getting companies to build, manage and transfer some critical infrastructures in Lagos. We point out that Lagos is experiencing massive population pressure by the day and this puts a great challenge on the resources of the state that the Lagos State government alone cannot meet this rising demand.

“We want Lagosians to understand that the little toll paid on the Lekki-Epe Expressway is only a little price we all must pay to get standard infrastructures and encourage others to come here and deliver better infrastructures in our state. Concessioning is a present economic reality and we do not see anything wrong with the instant case.

“We want to assure all Lagosians that the party and the state government are totally committed to their interests. We solicit the understanding of every Lagosians on these issues as we cannot achieve the dream of a viable and livable mega city without making little individual sacrifices. We assure Lagosians that the government, controlled by our great party will deliver on the promise of making Lagos and enviable state for the millions of Nigerians that live in it,” he stated.