Peace
It is not often that one writes very provoking articles. My article last week elicited so many reactions from the readers. As at the time of writing this piece, the reactions were still coming in. I will do the unusual today and allow my readers speak.
The reactions I received were in three categories. There were those that simply agreed with my arguments. There were those in between, and the opposing views were very sharp. It is on the opposing ones that I will dwell for the following reasons: First, I find it very interesting that a significant number of those that disagree with my opinion on the toll road think I have been paid to write the article. Why I find it laughable is that I have never been paid to write an article. Also, it is interesting to the extent that this people believe that someone of my stature must be paid to have an opinion. It is sad.
Second, I have reprinted some of the very ‘negative’ reactions here because it helps broaden the debate (now, the debate has been extended to water, hospitals, schools etc). While this is good, most articles are written, usually from a very narrow perspective. After all, it is only a 850 word piece. Third, I believe it is good for the government of Lagos State and the Lekki Concession Company (LCC) to note some of these reactions, as it could aid future planning.
Reactions Good evening sir, very good article ‘economics of Lekki toll road’. Will cut and show complainers. Audiferren How much did they pay you to write your article of today? And where do you live? I am a resident within the Lekki corridor since 2002, diligent in the payment of taxes via PAYE and the land use charge, etc. There’s been no government as virtually all schools are private, no pipe borne water, no waste disposal, etc. so I assume that my taxes are included in the built Lekki-Epe road before LCC took it over. Nobody has said a private concern should not profit from its investment. No! the issue is why should a government (in a sane society where it means what it is) allocate an EXISTING built up road to a private company to ‘upgrade’ and collect toll, instead of an alternative road path on which our taxes have not been expended? It was a good deal for LCC and its partners in government, who have been blabbing as if they own the Jakande built road. It’s a very bad deal for the citizens who have been left at the mercy of LCC to fix tolls to be paid with its partners’ approval.
Niyi, Lekki Hello sir, reading your article on “the economics of Lekki toll”, I beg to differ when you say there used to be no road. I am of the opinion the real problem was the population explosion down Lekki Expressway.
Debola Hello sir, thank you for your piece on the economics of Lekki toll road. There is no economics in this madness. What economic sense does it make when you are forced to spend half of your day in traffic on a daily basis? Have you considered the negative implications on health, family and pocket? I am sure Governor Fashola is aware of the daily suffering and madness that is happening in the name of road concession. What will it cost the government to at least grade the coastal road, so as to provide an alternative in the interim. I have never seen this level of insensitivity and man inhumanity to man before. There can never be any economics in this madness.
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Hakeem Omotayo Hello sir, I read your article on Lekki toll road. Nice article. Very well written, but I want to bet 50,000 pounds that you don’t live in that area in order to appreciate the people’s pain. Ona Ofoma, Lekki Dr. Okiti, I totally disagree with your write-up today on Lekki road (Lekki road compared to world’s best roads). The reality on ground does not support your assumptions. Opinion like this can be career-limiting and damaging to BusinessDay, especially because it looks like a paid commentary. It hurts for us that live on the axis.
Chuka Dear Okiti, Permit me to react to the above-mentioned subject. I put it to you that as much as you were able to make a few valid justifications on the subject-matter, I am still disappointed that your write-up was more on second handed information. You may need to address the following in your subsequent write up: •What distance will the road cover? •At what cost is it to the concessionaire? •How many toll plazas will be erected? •At what cost is each toll to the motorists? •How much will motorists pay to cover the cost of the road? •Is a road that is already bumpy with nearly plain median truly comparable to the best in the world? •Were business offices along concessioned roads you have travelled in other parts of the world completely fenced? •Does your write up suggest that the residents are not exposed enough to know the concessioning is not properly being done? •Was there ever a bid for the concessioning of the road?
Finally, before now, motorists suffer long hours, let me make you know that there was no time motorist spent five hours before the road reconstruction commenced but presently it is so from Victoria Island to Ajah. I suggest you do a more detailed background research on the contending issues before you go to press the next time.
Lanre Raheem. In conclusion, these reactions and many more that I could not post for space constraint are very important, to the extent that it helps the government, and all stakeholders understand better the thinking of the people. I look forward to a positive outcome from the present effort at concessioning because there are implications for future public private partnerships (PPPs), investment, growth, jobs, and the Lekki environment. We must all make it work.
