Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, announced on Thursday that the Federal Government plans to toll all major roads in Nigeria upon completion of construction and renovation.
Speaking during an Inter-Ministerial Press Briefing as part of the activities marking Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary, Umahi highlighted key roads like the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Second Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kano Road, and Makurdi-9th Mile as some of the roads to be tolled.
According to Umahi, tolling these roads would generate significant revenue for the government.
He stated, “We have the Lagos-Ibadan (Expressway), we are completing it and we are tolling it.”
He added that private sector partners have been involved to fund and work with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Works on the tolling process.
The minister mentioned that the government would begin with the Keffi-Makurdi Road, which has already been completed. He also pointed out that the Ministry of Finance is developing a paperless mode of payment for tolls.
Umahi emphasized the government’s focus on enhancing road safety and security, aiming to instill confidence in road users.
He said, “If people can travel at night because we are bringing security, where the response time will be 10 minutes on the entire corridor, where you have solar light permanently there and then reduce travel time… Nigerians will pay if the roads are good.”
He also noted that unlike previous administrations, road development is now being approached as an investment under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
The administration inherited 300 damaged roads and bridges, with more road projects set to commence across the six geopolitical zones starting October 1, 2024.