Lagos — After a presidential directive whereby all toll gates and plazas in Nigeria were dismantled, for various excuses including abuse of operations, citizens have enjoyed free access across the road network in the country.

However, there remains a toll plaza at the Airport area in Lagos, which still operates under the auspices of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

At the four-lane spot, hundreds of motorists daily cough out N100 to pass through the toll gates each time, on the pretence that the proceeds are being used to maintain the smooth roads leading to and from the airport, both local and international wings.

Even as hundreds grudgingly pay up the toll fee daily or buy FAAN stickers which cost up to N25,000.00 each for a year's free passage; the purpose of the toll is being defeated.

A drive through the plaza on the way to the Air Force base now reveal huge pot-holes and bad patches, leading to constant hold-ups for concerned motorists.

The belief is that, a toll fee which rose from N20 to now N100 (still rising) is enough to generate enough revenue to repair or re-surface the bad patches and pot-holes. With thousands passing through the busy short-cut daily, enough revenue comes in.

This is calling on the airport authorities to fix the roads and clear the drains on the vital route, to justify the high toll extorted from reluctant motorists. Otherwise, there is no reason why the sole toll plaza should continue to exist. A word for the wise.