The Federal Government has officially commenced toll operations on the Abuja–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi Road corridor as part of efforts to repay the $460.8 million loan secured from the China Exim Bank for the road’s rehabilitation and upgrade.
With the introduction of the toll system, motorists will now pay between N500 for saloon cars and N1,600 for multi-axle vehicles when using the highway. However, police and military vehicles have been exempted from toll fees to support their operational mobility.
The toll collection points are divided into four sections along the corridor: Keffi, Akwanga, Lafia, and Makurdi.
The 227.2km road was rehabilitated and upgraded with funding from the China Exim Bank, which provided 85% of the project’s total cost of $542 million. In accordance with the loan agreement, the Federal Government committed to tolling the road upon completion, with revenue generated from toll operations dedicated to repaying the loan.
Speaking at the official inauguration of toll operations at the Garaku Toll Station in Nasarawa State, Minister of Works David Umahi, represented by Minister of State for Works Bello Goronyo, reiterated the government’s commitment to road maintenance and sustainable infrastructure funding.
According to Umahi, toll revenues will not only be used to service the loan but will also be reinvested in maintaining federal roads nationwide. He further stated that in 2023, the previous administration signed a 25-year “Operate and Maintain” concession agreement with Messrs China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company Limited in partnership with Messrs Catamaran Nigeria Limited.
“It is with great pride and optimism that I stand before you today, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, as we officially launch toll operations on our federal roads, beginning with the 227.2km Abuja–Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi Road corridor,” he stated.
He emphasized the economic and strategic importance of the route, describing it as a critical transportation artery for trade, mobility, and national security in Nigeria’s central and northern regions.
“Toll operations mark a pivotal step towards achieving our vision for a more efficient, sustainable, and well-maintained road transport system,” he added.
The toll fees have been officially gazetted, with the following rates applied: saloon cars – N500, SUVs/jeeps – N800, minibuses – N1,000, and multi-axle vehicles – N1,600. However, frequent road users, particularly commercial light vehicles as defined under the Federal Highway Act, will receive a 50% discount.
Additionally, motorcycles, tricycles, pedal vehicles, and other two- or three-wheeled transport modes used by economically disadvantaged groups will be exempt from toll charges.
Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, represented by his deputy Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, commended President Bola Tinubu for completing the project and urged Nigerians to cooperate to ensure its success.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, Folorunsho Adebiyi, also underscored the importance of road infrastructure management, highlighting that roads remain the most accessible and widely used mode of transportation in Nigeria.
“In Nigeria today, we have four major modes of transport: air, rail, water, and road. The most accessible, affordable, and realistic means remains the road. Air travel is faster, but less than one per cent of Nigerians travel by air,” Adebiyi stated.
He further emphasized the need to generate sufficient revenue to maintain the country’s road networks, given the growing volume of road traffic and increasing stress on the infrastructure.
Join Our Telegram Channel For Instant Notification
