Toll-gate controversy: CNPP backs LASG

Toll-gate controversy: CNPP backs LASG

As protests continued to trail the
collection of tolls at Lekki/Epe
expressway, the Conference of Nigerian
Political Parties (CNPP), Lagos chapter, on
Monday, threw its weight behind the toll
system introduced by the Lagos State
government.
Addressing newsmen in Lagos, the state
chairman of the CNPP, Mr Akinola Obadia,
said that the toll issue had become
unduly politicized.
“There is over dramatisation in this
issue with the argument tilting towards
a partisanship tendency, rather than
being level-headed, clear thinking and
principle based,” he said stressing that
the CNPP was aware of the need not to
over-burden residents and travellers on
the road.
According to him, there was need to
show commitment and understanding
to the toll system in question, given its
international dimension.
Obadia stated that it was a world class
infrastructure provided with private
investor funds, in line with international
financial regulations, from both state
and federal governments, stressing that
defaulting on such agreement could
project Nigeria as a country where
legally documented obligations were not
honoured.
The CNPP Chairman said that such an
impression could have serious
implications on the nation’s capacity to
attract foreign investors.
“Our concern however, must be
balanced with the need for our citizens
to be socially responsible by paying
their dues to community development,’’
he said.
He however, appealed to the residents
of Lekki, and everyone affected by the
toll-gate, to collaborate with the
government and avoid protests that
could adversely affect the peace of the
area.(NAN).