Business lawyers speak on Lekki-Ikoyi bridge controversy
At this point, there is need to distinguish between tolls and taxes. Tolls are not taxes, and governments are generally allowed to levy tolls to further a goal.
While some of the tolls we have in Lagos are in the format of Public Private Partnerships (PPP) models, the bridge in question is not and the burden to maintain a facility of this nature thereby falls on the government.
Lagos is an urban city and as it gradually expands into a megacity, we find that the facilities and infrastructure in the metropolis is far more pressured than anywhere else in the country. The rate, at which facilities deteriorate in cities like this, is on a much higher scale.
In Nigeria particularly, the way facilities deteriorate is not in tandem with the way they are replaced, so why would it be so wrong if a state decides to make better provision for its people by ensuring that infrastructure and facilities are maintained or replaced with alternatives before they totally wear out, by collecting tolls to ensure that citizens do not suffer?
Why do we have to wait for the roads to crumble? Why can’t we give something more to ensure we have our facilities in good conditions? This is what obtains in other parts of the world.
“We cannot ask a government who listens and pays attention to the plight of its people, not to take care of matters it considers of utmost importance to the state.“
What I think we need to focus on is getting these amenities in place. We cannot ask a government who listens and pays attention to the plight of its people, not to take care of matters it considers of utmost importance to the state.
Governments all over the world take out measures from time to time to handle the yearnings of society. Indeed, no measure will satisfy everyone but I see this government looking for the greatest good for its people. You really can’t quantify these benefits. The needs that government must meet, is simply unending.
There are jurisdictions in the world where there is more money than pressure on the system, but here in Lagos, there is so much pressure on facilities, infrastructure and services available, due to population and the ever expanding nature of the city.
As with other parts, it is cheaper to live on the outskirts than in the city itself. A significant example is the United Kingdom. Living in London cannot be compared with living in the smaller surrounding cities and towns in the UK. It is quite expensive to live in the city of London.
Lagos is a fast-growing mega city with features and mechanisms as any other mega city in the world, and we must decide whether we can afford to live in such a city or not. We cannot stop the government from providing for/and continuously looking for ways to manage its growing population – a challenge that it must deal with one way or the other.
We need to focus on good governance, because even with all the criticisms of Lagos State, the private sector is more willing to partner with the government in Lagos more than anywhere else in the country.
AWARENESS?
Largely speaking, there is need to carry out proper civic education; we need to tell the people what their taxes do for them, and why they should pay taxes, and why tolls are also significant to development.
We also need to focus on good governance, because the truth is that, even with all the criticisms of Lagos State, private sector investors are actually more willing to partner with the government in Lagos more than anywhere else, because they can see where the money is going. This may not be at the level we want it to be, but we can see real change and development.
The Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola enjoys the reputation locally and internationally of being one of the best governors.
We must note that the population of Lagos is larger than many states and even countries put together. It is the commercial nerve of West Africa and everyone wants to be here including investors, with a view to being part of an economy that thrives for the benefit of anyone willing to work hard; an independent city, with thriving entrepreneurs.
How many people living and working in Lagos actually depend on the government? This is the hallmark of a developing city in Nigeria.
The social media must be a bit more responsible, because it is known to propagate and sensationalise issues. And because Africans are generally lazy to read and inquire, it is the sensational part of a report we focus on. We do not inquire beyond the sensational headlines to see the arguments that should balance such a report.
Speaking as an individual, I totally support any factor or initiative that can make government function better for all of us. Up until recently, tax was not an issue. Even the government was not in the habit of pursuing tax payers. This is because our population was not this large and it seemed the oil we had was more than enough to cater for our needs; so we just carried on.
However, as our population increased, the oil fortunes dwindled (though corruption may also be the reason this is happening), we are now beginning to have a disproportionate demand on facilities than what is available.
Thus government has to re-invent ways.
George Etomi