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.
In the first quarter of 2019, the Lagos State Government had decided that the cash payment process of passage through the Lekki-Ikoyi Tollgate would be discontinued and scrapped. This initial decision was to aid the cashless electronic payment system to be much more effective as it was being implemented.
It is clear, however, that that decision was revisited after it was reviewed by stakeholders in the transportation sector, and subsequently rescinded. Fortunately or unfortunately, as the case may be for some, the reversal of that decision came with a heavy re-implementation decision, which was inflated, and some would say ridiculously hiked cash payment charge of N1000. This amount more than doubled and over eclipsed the set charge for the e-payment.
According to the commissioner for transportation in Lagos State, Dr Fredrick Oladeinde, the new policy was very important, and it was necessitated to prevent the practice of corrupt activities, such as fake e-tags and duplication of payment vouchers presentation at the Tollgate to get by.
Related: Lagos declares free tolls at Lekki-Ikoyi, Lekki-V/Island toll gates
Who is in charge of the Lekki-Ikoyi tollgate e-payment service?
The Lekki Concession Company (LCC) is the body directly in charge of regulating the e-payment.
How do I apply for the Lekki-Ikoyi tollgate e-payment service?
As mentioned earlier, the methods for e-payment methods include the E-tag system, the Vouchers system, E-card system, and the LCC mobile app for a top-up.
Application for e-payment through LCC Website.
- Visit the Lekki Concession Company’s website by typing https://www.lcc.com.ng/application.asp on a web browser
- Click on the Tolling category
- Follow the outlined process
- This list of options will appear on the screen: The Toll Plazas, Vehicles Classification, Methods of Payments, Toll Devices, Toll Account User Types, Toll Tariff/Toll Incentive, Convenience Services.
- Click on the Toll Device: You will have to provide detailed data about the vehicle that you use e.g. type, model, registration number, etc.
- After this, when you are through with the registration process, you can then go ahead with making the payment.
It is important to note that, before the conclusion of the registration process, the location where you prefer to perform the pick up of your evidence of payment will be required of you. Ensure that you make a careful selection of your chosen location for pick up ease and speed.
Application for e-payment through Quickteller
- Visit the Lekki Concession Company’s website by clicking https://www.lcc.com.ng/application.asp
- Click on the Tolling category
- Follow the process; a list of options will pop up
- Continue by clicking on the Toll Device
- When you click on the Toll Device option, you will be redirected to Quickteller‘s website
- Type in and enter the necessary data, such as, Email Address, LLC Account number (which is the ATM personal identification number), and then the amount.
- After this, you can make a direct printout. This is your physical evidence of payment
How do I check my Lekki-Ikoyi toll balance?
If you want to check and know your Lekki-Ikoyi Toll Balance, follow these steps:
Step One: Visit the LCC’s website, https://www.lcc.com.ng/application.asp
Step two: Go ahead and click on the “Tolling” category
Step three: Next, Click on the Account Balance option
Step four: Enter the following details; Toll Account Number, Toll Password
What do I do if have issues with the toll e-payment service?
No system does not come with its warts and whims. If there are no issues with the electronic system itself, there might be an issue with the people who are using it. This is vice versa and an unavoidable occurrence.
Some of the problems that have been reported include:
- The inability of some users to sync their account into a singular toll account that allows them to ply the Admiralty Circle and Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge Toll plazas
- Motorists who still present cash at the tollgates, thereby causing an annoyingly avoidable delay
- Cases of error of deductions made from user’s accounts and holes in account merging
If you experience any of the above issues, your best bet is to contact the Lekki Concession Company. They will be happy to help you sort it out. If your issue is not urgent, you can also reach out to LCC via their Twitter handle, as they are fairly active there. Ther representative will advise you on the best thing the best way to solve the problem.
However, if you’re issue was that you haven’t registered at all, follow the instruction on this section of this article to apply for an electronic tag.
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Conclusion
Conclusively, the Tollgate E-payment Service System of the Lekki-Ikoyi Tollgate has come to stay. Truth be told, it provides for a much better and easier flow of traffic from Lekki Phase 1 into Ikoyi.
We do all agree that there have to be improvements here and there, but, we cannot deny the fact that a lot has been done, which is quite commendable with regards to the electronic payment system.
Some things may not totally go away, at least for now. Things such as cash payments will have to continue for a while. Being that Nigeria, and Lagos in particular, is still mainly a cash-based economy. This also goes hand in hand with the number of people who are uninformed about certain happenings and upgraded practices worldwide.
So, if you are by any chance going through the Lekki-Ikoyi axes and you might haply pass through the Lekki-Ikoyi Tollgate, ensure that you take keen note of the information needed for ease of passage.
Also, if you recently found a job in that location, and you have a car, you should quickly get registered so as not to overpay regularly instead of paying less than a third of the cash payment. For those who live in the area already, by now, you should be conversant with this practice. However, this information can give you more insight into the Lekki-Ikoyi Tollgate E-payment Service System.
Lekki-Ikoyi Tollgate E-payment Service System has come to stay. Truth be told, it provides for a much better and easier flow of traffic from Lekki Phase 1 into Ikoyi.
The cash system may continue for a while, but Tollgate E-payment Service is going nowhere!
In case you have more information about the Tollgate E-payment service that wasn’t mentioned, feel free to write them in the comment section.
Finally, the post is for information purposes only and does not constitute endorsement or recommendation. Use your discretion at all times.
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