Umahi justifies four tollgates on Abuja-Keffi-Makurdi expressway

David Umahi, minister of works, says the placement of four tollgates on Abuja-Keffi-Makurdi expressway aligns with the requirements of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

Umahi said this in reaction to the growing concerns from commuters about the multiple tolls on the newly completed expressway.

The minister explained that the legislation establishing the ICRC outlines the necessary tolling parameters, including minimum and maximum rates for privately managed roads.

“The total length of that road is 260 kilometres, and it is dualised, which means you are talking about 520 kilometers, and I don’t think that we have more than four toll gates on that road,” NAN quoted Umahi as saying.

“There is a law establishing infrastructure concession regulatory commission, and they have the minimum requirements and maximum requirements for tolling.

“We have followed that law and we have also set up a committee because we are doing a cashless collection on the road.

“The committee members are meeting with us next week, and they will tell us how to go about that. Because, there are a lot of people who do not know how to read and write, when it comes to ICT.

“It may be difficult for them to understand what we are talking (about) in terms of the electronics payment of tolls. So, we are trying to ensure that we carry such people along.”