THE Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has announced that the Federal Government plans to introduce tolls on all major roads in the country once construction and renovations are completed.
Speaking at an Inter-Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja today as part of Nigeria’s 64th Independence anniversary activities, Umahi mentioned the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway as one of the key roads that will be tolled upon completion.
He also listed other major roads, including the Second Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kano Road, and Makurdi-9th Mile.
The former Governor of Ebonyi State noted that tolling federal roads would generate significant revenue for the government. He further explained that the private sector has been involved in financing the construction of these roads, in collaboration with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Works, to facilitate tolling.
Umahi highlighted that the Keffi-Makurdi Road, which has already been completed, will be the first to implement tolling, and discussions are ongoing with the Ministry of Finance to ensure a seamless, paperless payment system.
“For instance, we are finalizing the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and working on roads such as Makurdi to 9th Mile in Enugu State and from Abuja to Lagos. These roads will be tolled.
However, we are also prioritizing security, with a response time of 10 minutes along the entire corridor, and installing permanent solar lighting to make night travel safer,” he said. “If the roads are well-maintained and secure, Nigerians will be willing to pay the tolls.”
Umahi also noted that previous road projects had not been treated as investments, but under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, road development is being approached more professionally.
He added that the government inherited 300 damaged roads and bridges, with more road construction projects set to begin across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones from October 1, 2024.