The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has addressed growing concerns over the multiple tollgates on the newly completed Abuja-Keffi-Makurdi expressway.
Umahi stated that the placement of four tollgates aligns with the requirements of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission.
According to Umahi, the ICRC’s legislation outlines specific parameters for tolling, including minimum and maximum rates for privately managed roads.
The minister emphasized that the road’s total length of 260 kilometers, being dualized, translates to 520 kilometers, justifying the four toll gates, according to TheCable.
To facilitate a seamless cashless collection system, Umahi revealed that a committee has been established. The committee aims to address potential challenges, particularly for those unfamiliar with electronic payment systems.
The Abuja-Keffi-Makurdi expressway project falls under the Highway Development and Management Initiative. This initiative seeks to develop and manage federal roads through public-private partnerships, with the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga route expected to generate significant revenue.
Umahi’s explanation comes as commuters continue to express concerns about the multiple tolls on the expressway. The minister’s defense highlights the government’s efforts to balance revenue generation with infrastructure development.
“The total length of that road is 260 kilometres, and it is dualised, which means you are talking about 520 kilometers, and I don’t think that we have more than four toll gates on that road.
“There is a law establishing infrastructure concession regulatory commission, and they have the minimum requirements and maximum requirements for tolling.
“We have followed that law and we have also set up a committee because we are doing a cashless collection on the road.
“The committee members are meeting with us next week, and they will tell us how to go about that. Because, there are a lot of people who do not know how to read and write, when it comes to ICT.
“It may be difficult for them to understand what we are talking (about) in terms of the electronics payment of tolls. So, we are trying to ensure that we carry such people along.”
