By Gbenga Abulude (Politics and General Desk)
The Lagos State Government has incurred a loss of about N234m following the tollgates’ closure caused by #EndSARS protests as protesters have continued to ground Nigeria’s economic capital over demands to end police brutality in the country.
The loss has been compounded by the protesters who have continued to mount barricade at the tollgates daily since last Monday. In fact, protesters consistent siege at the tollgates blocking vehicular movement on the Lekki-Ajah axis has been of negative consequence in several ways
According to Punch report, Monday, quoting Lagos state Commissioner for Information, the financial loss the state has experienced since the siege on the tollgates started, has been astronomical. The report added that despite this loss, the state has continued to generate money from adverts at the toll plazas.
The N234m loss was based on calculations from daily and monthly targets which the state government reportedly set for the tollgates managers. The tollgates are being managed by the Lekki Concession Company (LCC).
Based on the daily targets, the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge was projected and expected to generate about N10m daily while the Admiralty Circle Plaza along the Lekki-Ajah Expressway was expected to generate accruals of nothing less than N16.6m a day.
With this huge loss, the state government is at a dilemma even as the protests have persisted despite pleas from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu who was there in person last week where he urged the #EndSARS protesters to ceasefire . According to the governor he would ensure that their demands are met as he would personally convey their messages to the Presidency.
The protesters are not only demanding an end to police brutality and justice for reported cases of extra-judicial killings perpetrated by the outlawed Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), they also want a total reform of the Police force as well as observance of the values of good governance by the present administration.
