ATTENTION! Read Immediately If You’ve A Car In FCT As FG Announces New Charges For Vehicles; SEE Details
The Federal Government has officially commenced toll collection along the Abuja– Akwanga– Lafia– Makurdi Road corridor as part of its commitment to repaying the $460. 8 million loan acquired from the China Exim Bank for the highway’ s rehabilitation and modernization. This 227. 2km stretch of road now requires motorists to pay toll fees, which vary based on vehicle type. Specifically, saloon car drivers will pay N500, while multi- axle vehicles will be charged N1, 600. However, in order to facilitate smooth security operations, police and military vehicles will be exempt from these toll fees.
The project has been divided into four tolling points strategically located in Keffi, Akwanga, Lafia, and Makurdi. A significant portion of the funding for the road upgrade came from a preferential credit loan provided by the China Exim Bank, which covered 85 per cent of the total project cost of $542 million. In line with its agreement to repay this loan, the Federal Government introduced tolling as a means of generating revenue to service the debt while also ensuring future maintenance of the road.
Speaking at the Garaku Toll Station in Nasarawa State, Minister of Works, David Umahi— represented by Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo— highlighted the government’ s commitment to sustainable road maintenance through well- structured financial strategies. He emphasized that revenue generated from toll collections would be directed toward maintaining federal roads nationwide.
In 2023, the Federal Government entered into a long- term concession agreement with China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company Limited, working in collaboration with Catamaran Nigeria Limited. This agreement, which will span 25 years, entrusts the companies with the responsibility of operating and maintaining the road, ensuring its continued efficiency and usability. Umahi described this highway as a critical economic and social transport route that plays a crucial role in linking Nigeria’ s central and northern regions. Additionally, he underscored the importance of the tolling initiative as a strategic measure toward establishing an efficient and well- maintained road network across the country.
The Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule— represented by his deputy, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe— expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for successfully completing the road project. He also urged the public to cooperate with the tolling initiative in order to ensure its long- term success.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, Folorunsho Adebiyi, stressed the importance of road infrastructure in Nigeria’ s transportation system. He pointed out that, although air travel is faster, it remains accessible to only a small fraction of the population. In contrast, road transportation serves as the primary mode of travel for the majority of Nigerians, making road maintenance a national priority.
With the implementation of this tolling system, the Federal Government aims to create a sustainable funding model for road maintenance, ensuring that Nigeria’ s highway infrastructure remains in good condition. By securing private sector involvement through a long- term concession agreement and establishing clear tolling policies, the government seeks to build a more reliable and efficient transportation network across the country.