Fashola, the Lekki Toll Protests and Property prices

Governor Raji Fashola has finally commissioned the much resented toll gate on the Lekki Expressway. By that action motorists travelling on that road will henceforth pay a toll fee to go through the barriers. This has not gone down well with many Lagosians especially the residents of Lekki area who have seen it as an additional economic burden on them. No wonder the commissioning ceremony was dwarfed with placard carrying protesters showing their anger their Governor's action. Sincerely speaking what played out on Saturday could have been avoided if a proper communication channel had been put in place. Questions that are now arising could have been pre-answered and the alleged police brutality avoided. Beside the economic burden, also the protesters are angry that the alternative road provided is too narrow and that the tollgate is located in the middle of the metropolis. This latter argument will definitely has its effect on property prices and rent income. Potential property hunters in that corridor will now ask the potent question: before the tollgate or beyond the tollgate.

No doubt, the tollgate will be of economic benefit to the government and one must pay a tribute to the astuteness of the Lagos State government under Governor Fashola. But having said that, it must mentioned that governance is not all about the governors but also about the governed. Governor Fashola owes it a duty to the Lagosians, as a matter of transparency, how much of the revenue realised from the venture will be ploughed back into putting the expressway in good shape all the time. Governor Fashola should, as a matter of urgency, embark on a bridge building measure and attempt to assuage the feelings of the concerned residents. In particular I will suggest that he pays attention to the complaints on the alternative road to see if it could be made wider. He could also work with the relevant local councils on how to lower rates and taxes for residents living beyond to tollgate. This is because the people living beyond the tollgate must be encouraged to remain there, potential residents must be 'lured' with government's palliatives to move in. Life is about give and take. Something must give to achieve peace.

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