FG Imposes Tolls On Abuja-Makurdi Road To Repay Huge Debt To China

The Federal Government has officially commenced toll collection on the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Road as part of efforts to repay the $460.8 million loan secured from China Exim Bank for its rehabilitation and upgrade.……READ MORE 

Motorists will now be required to pay tolls ranging from ₦500 for saloon cars to ₦1,600 for multi-axle vehicles, while police and military vehicles are exempted to support security operations.

The toll gates, strategically located along the 227.2km highway, are divided into four sections: Keffi, Akwanga, Lafia, and Makurdi.

Speaking at the official launch of tolling operations at the Garaku Toll Station in Nasarawa State, Minister of Works, David Umahi, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to road maintenance and infrastructure development.

Represented by the Minister of State for Works, Barrister Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Umahi explained that toll revenue would also be used for maintaining federal roads across Nigeria

The previous administration secured the $460.8 million loan, covering 85% of the total $542 million cost of the road project. According to the agreement, the Federal Government committed to tolling the road upon completion to ensure loan repayment.

Umahi stated:
“It is with great pride and optimism that I stand before you today, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, as we officially commence toll operations on the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Road Corridor.”

The tolling system follows a 25-year Operate and Maintain concession agreement signed in 2023 between the Federal Government and Messrs China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company Limited in partnership with Messrs Catamaran Nigeria Limited.

The Federal Ministry of Works has set the following toll rates:

• Saloon cars: ₦500
• SUVs & Jeeps: ₦800
• Minibuses: ₦1,000
• Multi-axle vehicles: ₦1,600

Frequent users, including commercial light vehicles, will enjoy a 50% discount. Additionally, tricycles, motorcycles, pedal vehicles, and transport modes used by vulnerable populations are exempted from toll charges.

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, represented by his deputy, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for completing the project and urged Nigerians to cooperate with the government for its success.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, Folorunsho Adebiyi, emphasized that road infrastructure is crucial for Nigeria’s economy, stating that over 99% of Nigerians rely on road transport, while air travel remains inaccessible to many.

“The reality is that less than 1% of Nigerians travel by air. This places immense pressure on our roads, and with increasing traffic volumes, we must generate enough revenue for effective road maintenance,” Adebiyi noted.