FG inaugurates panel to toll $112.53m Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Makurdi roads

By John Alechenu

ABUJA—As part of efforts to recover the $112.53m Chinese loan for the construction of the Abuja-Keffi expressway and the dualization of the Keffi-Akwanga-Makurdi Road, the federal government, has inaugurated a committee on the implementation of a cashless tolling system, CTS.

According to the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, the move is part of measures by the Renewed Hope administration to revolutionize road infrastructure development and stimulate economic growth.

Umahi said this during the inauguration of the CTS committee at the ministry’s headquarters, in Abuja yesterday.

A statement signed by the Minister’s Special Adviser (Media) Orji Uchenna Orji, quoted the minister as explaining that the cashless tolling system was a strategic programme under the Highway Development and Management Initiative, aimed at promoting strong and sustainable transportation ecosystem.

Umahi said: “This is one of the cardinal strategies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu towards realizing the desires of our people in the road sector development.

“Recall that a point of Keffi-Akwanga-Markurdi was done on EPC + F, and funded up to 85 percent by China Exim Bank, and the Federal Government paid 15 percent counterpart funding and the job was executed satisfactorily by China Harbour Ltd.

“Part of the agreement is that, they will toll the road and then recoup the money for the Federal Government to pay back the loan segment of the project.”

While inaugurating the committee, the minister commended President, Bola Tinubu for the vast strategic economic recovery initiatives of the Renewed Hope administration.

He expressed hope that the committee would leverage on ideals of the terms of reference handed to them to develop a robust implementation masterplan that would lead to the realization of the economic and social objectives of the highway development and management initiative.

He tasked the committee on its terms of reference which, among other things include, to develop the cashless tolling system implementation framework, make appropriate recommendation as to the potentials of relief stations and good physical environment along the corridors and profer practical solution to the challenges of implementing cashless toll collection in Nigerian environment.

Umahi said further: “We must also, as part of the assignment, develop relief stations. Relief stations is what you see in overseas’ expressways, where you have a lot of stations where you have a supermarket, you have a small clinic, you have also security outfits, and a number of other facilities, including parks, wheel lorries, and vehicles park, and tow vans.

“The idea of Mr. President is that we should have a maximum of 10 minutes of response time on our Highways, meaning that in the full development of this route, part of the assignment will be how we can install CCTV cameras, and also have solar light all through the entire route of the project.

“So, we will be able to put security on our roads, and then we have a station at the relief center, where they will stay and watch the vehicles, so that within 10 minutes of any incident along the route, the security people will be able to be there within 10 minutes response time.”

This is the idea of Mr. President, and for our major highways.”

Earlier in her welcome address, the Head PPP Unit, Federal Ministry of Works, Mrs. Ugwu-Chima Nnennaya, said the inauguration was part of the statutory responsibilities of the federal ministry of works which has the mandate to attract private sector funding for the development and management of federal road network through the Highways Development and Management Initiative, HDMI.

Speaking on behalf of the committee on the implementation of Cashless Tolling System, chairman of the committee expressed gratitude to the the minister of works for the opportunity to serve the nation in that capacity.

She noted that the scope was onerous and assured of profound commitment of the committee to the assignment given them.

She said: “We thank you minister for giving us this opportunity to serve our nation. As we all know, infrastructure is the root of development, and among the sectors of infrastructure, transportation is one of the most important sectors.

“Without transportation, things would slow down, and we need to open up roads everywhere as we all know that, particularly in Nigeria, transportation is one of the main means of movement for people, goods, animals and everything.’’

The committee has within two weeks to submit its report.

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