Return Of Toll Plazas On Federal Highways - Vanguard Editorial - Politics

 

Last week, Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed that the Federal Government had concluded plans to reintroduce tolling on selected expressways with the kickoff on the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Highway. The 227.2-kilometer road is among the nine expressways scheduled for tolling. Other roads listed include the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Second Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kano Road and Makurdi-9th Mile Road.

According to him, saloon cars will pay N500; sport utility vehicles, SUVs, N800; minibuses N1,000 and multi-axle (articulated) vehicles, N1,600. Frequent road users like commercial light vehicles, as defined under the Federal Highway Act, will enjoy a 50 per cent discount. The disclosure by the Minister has revived the debate over the desirability of having tolled highways. Toll gates are used to generate funds for the maintenance of roads in many climes. According to the Minister: “Tolling operations is a pivotal step towards the realisation of our vision for a more efficient, sustainable and well-maintained road transport system for our beloved country.”


Toll gates are not exactly new to Nigeria. By virtue of Section 2 of the Federal Highways Act, Cap F13, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, the power to erect toll gates resides in the Minister. The administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo announced the scrapping of toll gates in 2003 because they were a cesspool of corruption as government found it difficult to track their earnings. Has government now found solutions to this? Has it perfected how to track and ensure that toll revenues are reported to the Federation Account? How are we sure that the toll plazas will no longer be given as political patronages as in the past?


This question is amplified by the ugly Lekki Toll Gate experience in Lagos. It started as a public-private partnership but had to be bought over by the Lagos State Government because the Lekki Concession Company, LCC, Ltd could not complete the Eti Osa – Epe Express before it was shut down after the Lekki Toll Gate shootings in October 2020. This bruising experience under an APC-led democratic dispensation does not send encouraging signals for the restoration of tolling of our highways under the present government.

Also, the Lagos Airport Road has been tolled since 1998 with millions of Naira raked in daily, yet the road is poorly maintained. Where does the money go? Many Nigerians are worried that the reintroduction of tolling on our highways will add to the already high cost of transportation due to the removal of petrol subsidy, floating of the Naira, hike of electricity tariffs and other IMF/World Bank-induced price hikes. But if the Federal Government can faithfully maintain these highways and bridges with tolling, Nigerians will gladly absorb the burden. Tolling is working in many parts of the world.


Will corruption and patronage allow it to work in Nigeria? That is the big question.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/02/return-of-toll-plazas-on-federal-highways/

Re: Return Of Toll Plazas On Federal Highways - Vanguard Editorial

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ONDO HUMANITARIAN CORRIDOR: DONATE TODAY AND IMPACT LIVES POSITIVELY

Image
  Title: "The Ondo Humanitarian Corridor: Lighting the Path to Hope"   Imagine being the reason someone's life got improved.   Imagine being the reason youths could lead a better life.   Imagine being the ray of hope to the hopeless.   How would you feel knowing that you could save someone's life?   In a world often marked by challenges and uncertainties, a beacon of hope has emerged in the heart of Nigeria's Ondo State.   Inspired by Acts 20:35, the  Ondo Humanitarian Corridor was officially launched. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of compassion and community.   In the midst of recent economic downturns and hardships, Ondo State, like many places, has witnessed its share of struggles.   The Ondo Humanitarian Corridor recognizes these challenges and has stepped forward as a lifeline to the vulnerable.   When the lives of people are to be changed, God puts it in the heart of someone to take action.   This initiat...
Read more

YES OWODAILY IS A GENIUNE MONEY MAKING PLATFORM FULL OF IMMENSE OPPORTUNITIES

Image
    https://owodaily.ng/offer_ByvYh     Yes, Owodaily is 99% real because I have been working and making some cool cash from this platform. You can make money from Owodaily working as a member, network marketer, and affiliate marketer. Watch the video below to see how a YouTube, Prosper Noah, is making Money (Almost 100K) using Owodaily.   As a social media manager, you can make money by reselling social media services in naira at a low price while you charge your clients at a high rate. Owodaily helps social media managers, business owners, and brands get their digital jobs done easily. All you have to do is sign up on Owodaily, pay the lifetime membership fee of N5000 and your account will be fully activated. Then you can deposit into your account and post a job while Owodaily users get the job done for you. You can also make money as a social media manager by selling the already made template designs on the Owodaily marketplace to your clients...
Read more

FRIENDS WHAT CAN YOU SELL TO MAKE $100000 MONTHLY PLEASE LISTEN TO MY MENTOR

Image
 THIS MESSAGE  FROM THE WOMAN THAT PAYS MY SALARY---- EVA ALORDIAH This one has been highly requested by so many of you and I couldn't resist going back to the basics.   If I were starting over from scratch with  - no money - no product  - and a small audience, Here's exactly how I'd make $1000 in 30 days or less by selling my knowledge online.   (all you need is your brain and the internet)   WARNING.. What I'm about to share with you works if you work it.   This is the exact system I used to generate $4,863 in only 6 days. In this short article, I'll cover offer creation, social media sales strategy and a good mindset flip on pricing.    Let's jump in.   When I started selling my knowledge online, I just wanted to sell eBooks.   But If I was starting over from scratch today as a beginner, I'd not start with eBooks.   Why?   Look at this math - To make $1000 selling eBooks, you'd need 100 people x $10 = $1000   ...
Read more