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Ikenna Ngere
Guest
The Federal Government has announced plans to implement tolling on several major highways across Nigeria once construction and renovations are completed.
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, revealed this during an inter-ministerial press briefing held in Abuja as part of the 64th Independence anniversary celebrations.
Umahi confirmed that one of the key projects slated for tolling is the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, which is nearing completion.
“We have the Lagos-Ibadan (expressway), we are completing it and we are tolling it,” the minister stated.
In addition to the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, other prominent roads that will be tolled include the Second Niger Bridge, the Abuja-Kano road, and the Makurdi to 9th Mile route in Enugu State.
The minister emphasized that the private sector will play a significant role in funding and managing these toll projects.
According to him, private entities will work with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Works to generate the necessary funds and oversee the construction, maintenance, and tolling of these highways.
He further noted that the Keffi-Makurdi road, which has already been completed, will be the first to be tolled.
Umahi added that his ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of Finance to implement a paperless payment system to enhance efficiency.
In addition to tolling, Umahi stressed that the government’s goal is to boost public confidence in the quality and safety of the roads.
“For example, we are completing the Lagos-Ibadan, we are working on Makurdi to 9th Mile in Enugu State, we are working from Abuja to Lagos.
“These roads are going to be tolled. But, we are not just tolling them, we are bringing confidence in the use of these roads,” Umahi said.
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