Nigeria to introduce toll collection on more roads

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, said on Saturday more federal roads would be tolled to ensure effective maintenance of infrastructure.

The minister stated this while inspecting the ongoing construction on the Abuja-Kaduna dual carriageway.

He said the Federal Government was leveraging Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to improve road infrastructure across Nigeria for socio-economic benefits.

According to him, major roads within the six geopolitical zones and key economic corridors would be tolled.

Umahi said: “However, we will not toll any road that has not been fully completed. Before tolling, we must ensure the road is 100 percent finished.”

He explained that where roads were completed years ago but had deteriorated, agreements would be reached with stakeholders on necessary maintenance.

He stressed that lack of maintenance remained a major issue for Nigerian roads.

“How do you maintain 35,000 kilometres of the road? We must involve the private sector in this maintenance effort.

“If a 200-kilometre road has 150 kilometres completed, we must decide on maintenance plans. Without maintenance, those sections could deteriorate.

“That is our focus. However, for now, no unfinished road will be tolled,” the minister added.

He said work on the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway would be completed within 14 months.

Umahi added that sections one and three of the road had been awarded to Infoquest Nigeria Limited following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval.

“The Federal Executive Council approved the construction of these sections on Monday and Infoquest Nigeria Limited has commenced work.

“We are not here primarily to assess the volume of work done. Instead, we are holding a side meeting to determine mobilisation levels,” he concluded.

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