FG to toll major highways across the country – Minister

The federal government will toll major highways across the country after their completion.

Dave Umahi, the Minister of Works, said this in Abuja on Friday at an inter-ministerial press briefing being held as part of the 64th Independence anniversary celebrations.

He identified Lagos-Ibadan expressway, the Keffi-Makurdi road, the Second Niger Bridge, the Abuja-Kano road, and the Makurdi to 9th Mile Road in Enugu State as some of the key roads that would be tolled.

“We are completing the Lagos-Ibadan, we are working on Makurdi to 9th Mile in Enugu State, we are working from Abuja to Lagos.

“These roads are going to be tolled. But, we are not just tolling them, we are bringing confidence in the use of these roads,” he said.

The minister said the private sector would play a significant role in funding and managing these roads to boost public confidence in the quality and safety of the roads.

He said private companies would collaborate with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Works to generate the necessary funds and oversee the construction, maintenance, and tolling of these highways.

Umahi said his ministry was collaborating with the ministry of finance to implement a paperless payment system to enhance efficiency.