The electronic tollgate collection or e-payment service is an electronic, wireless, and ICT-based system that by automation collects and records the usage fee or charged fee (toll) of vehicles that use toll roads, lanes, bridges, or tunnels.
It is a much easier and seamless alternative method of passage than toll booths. Unlike toll booths where motorists have to make a stop and then pay toll fares in cash, the electronic toll system is prepaid.
The advantage of this can be seen when compared with the earlier days when the manual tolling system was much more in use. One of the issues overcome is the lack of proper revenue management in the manual system.
One could do his job diligently and meticulously, but still, mistakes were often recorded. The precision and accuracy of the modern-day machine can not be overemphasised.
Fo the motorist, the advantage of the electronic payment system is in time-saving since the user spends much less time than ordinarily, they would have done if they had to stop and pay.
For the implementers, the electronic e-payment system allows them to improve the management system of revenue, make better the system of toll collection, eliminate the human mistakes inherent in manual management, and more.
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Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge and tollgate
If you live in Lekki or Ikoyi, you could never miss the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge.
The cable-style Lekki-Ikoyi bridge, which is located in Lagos State, Nigeria is approximately 1,360 kilometres. It is the bridge that serves as a link between Lekki Phase 1 and Ikoyi – both districts of Lagos State. The then Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola, fondly called BRF, inaugurated the bridge on 29th May 2013.
The Lekki-Ikoyi bridge was built by Julius Berger Nigeria, and it is Nigeria’s first cable-style bridge. It hangs nine meters over the water level to enable passage of maritime traffic.
The bridge, for some, is used for other purposes aside from the movement of vehicles to and fro the Lekki-Ikoyi axis. It serves for recreation. Several residents of the axis use the facility when they want to engage in fitness exercises. They make use of the side pathways of the bridge during their usual morning and evening jogs and runs.
Also, the bridge attracts visitors and tourists as it is one of the best sights to visit in Lagos State. In particular, it is arguably the most photographed location in Lagos. One key moment, as we may all remember was when Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO and founder of Facebook, was spotted on the bridge on 30 August 2020, taking a morning jog the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge when he visited Lagos that year. We remember this incident turning social media into a frenzy.
Of note, at the end of the Lekki-Ikoyi bridge is a tollgate. Only private non-commercial vehicles are allowed to make use of this passage. The limited capacity is twenty-six (26) passengers. The tollgate itself is positioned at the side of the bridge towards the Lekki area.
Since it’s inception and subsequent use, the tollgate e-payment service directive has remained a source of debate for Lagosians, particularly those who live within the Lekki-Ikoyi areas of Lagos. The argument for many is that the bridge, having been funded with taxpayers money, should be free for use without any form of payment.
However, the Lagos State Government emphasised the need to pay and collect tolls at the bridge. The funds generated, they say, is required for the maintenance of the bridge. Not only that but also that the revenue generated will also be used to build other bridges, which will help linkage to other areas in the Lagos Metropolis.
Why was the tollgate e-payment service implemented?
On Thursday, 2nd January 2020, was when the Lagos State Government initiated the cashless law for making payments at the Lekki-Ikoyi Toll Bridge. This was a move aimed to ease the constant traffic gridlocks created by motorists while they queued as they try to pass by either side of the bridge.
The massive traffic this created as motorists who used these roads made cash payments was a worrisome sight for the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation and commuters alike. Hence, the implementation of the cashless policy as an effort to ease vehicular movement and the flow of traffic on the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge.
The measures put in place to aid the payments by the policy regulators were closely and personally monitored by Dr Frederic Oladeinde (the commissioner for transportation in Lagos State) and the managing director of the Lekki Concession Company Limited (LCC), Mr Yomi Omomuwasan, on the take-off date.
Taking into account the heavy traffic jam that was usually synonymous with the cash payments, but, has now been significantly reduced. Most motorists have lauded the effort.
Types of Lekki e-payment systems
The Lekki Concession Company Limited (LCC) has created four easy ways through which private and commercial motorists can make their e-payment. These are described in the following sections.
1. The e-tag payment
This is a system by which an electronic tag is placed on the vehicle. This system is one that enables free passage to the vehicle on which the E-tag is attached allowing the vehicular number plate to be recognised by the service.
2. The vouchers system
This is one is only temporary, that is, it is one for those who are termed newcomers or first-timers. Basically, it is a system set up for those that are yet to make a formal registration.
3. The e-card system
This one is synonymous with a pay-as-you-go system or better put a recharge system. The e-card has to be topped up regularly before it can be used and passage to the other side of the bridge allowed. This topping has to be done before the time of presentation for passage.
4. The LCC mobile app
The Lekki Concession Company Limited (LCC) has also created an app for those who use android, iPhones, and any type of smartphone as long as it can browse the internet. This app is for “Top-Up.” Top Up is also a payment platform.
How about if I am only passing through or just prefer to pay cash?
For those who prefer not to go through the “stress” of registration and those who are just passing through the Lekki-Ikoyi Toll Bridge at one time or the other, going to see a friend, attend a party or social meeting or for a one-off business purpose, the Lagos State Government has placed you all in the same category.
On the 20th of January, 2020, the Lagos State Government made a pronouncement that any motorist that decides to make a payment through the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge using cash will be allowed, albeit at least a 250% increased rate of N1000, compared to the regular standard rate of N300 to N400 for cars and SUVs respectively – if you use the electronic cashless payment process.
