The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has announced that the Federal Government plans to introduce tolls on several key roads across Nigeria once construction and renovation works are completed.
According to The PUNCH, this disclosure was made during an inter-ministerial press briefing in Abuja, held in commemoration of Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary.
Umahi revealed that the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, one of the country’s most vital road networks, will be among the first to be tolled upon its completion.
“We are completing the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, and we will be tolling it,” Umahi stated.
In addition to the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, other major roads slated for tolling include the Second Niger Bridge, the Abuja-Kano road, and the Makurdi to 9th Mile route in Enugu State.
According to the minister, the private sector will play a crucial role in funding and managing these toll projects.
“We have engaged private sector members to bring in funds, construct these roads, and work with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Works to implement tolls,” he explained.
Umahi also highlighted that the Keffi-Makurdi Road, which has already been completed, will be the starting point for the tolling initiative.
He noted that the Ministry of Works is working closely with the Ministry of Finance to ensure a smooth, paperless payment process for road users.
“We are not just tolling these roads; we are ensuring that road users have confidence in the quality and safety of these infrastructure projects,” Umahi added, emphasizing the government’s commitment to enhancing the nation’s road network.
