FG Defends Installation of Four Toll Gates on Abuja-Keffi-Makurdi Expressway

The Federal Government has defended its decision to set up four toll gates along the 260-kilometer Abuja-Keffi-Makurdi expressway, stating that it complies with the guidelines of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

Minister of Works, David Umahi, responded to commuter concerns regarding the frequency of tolls, explaining that the ICRC framework stipulates specific requirements for tolling on concessioned roads.

Responding to commuters who expressed concerns over the potential burden of four toll payment points, Umahi emphasized, “The total length of that road is 260 kilometers, and it is dualized, totaling 520 kilometers. I don’t think we have more than four toll gates on that road.”

He added that a committee has been established to implement a cashless tolling system, aimed at modernizing toll payments and addressing potential literacy barriers to cashless transactions.

The cashless system, inaugurated by the Minister on October 17, aims to improve the efficiency and security of toll collections as part of the Highway Development and Management Initiative.

The committee’s objectives include establishing relief stations with essential services, such as clinics and security outposts, as well as enhancing rapid-response security along the route.

“Within 10 minutes of any incident along the route, security personnel will be able to respond,” Umahi assured.

The $542 million project was carried out by the China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC) under the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction–Finance (EPC+F) model.

The China Exim Bank provided 85 percent of the funding, while the remaining 15 percent was funded by the Nigerian government. According to the agreement, the road will be tolled to recover investment costs.

Commuters have praised the government for the timely completion of the road, although reactions to the tolling arrangement have been mixed.