The Federal Government has officially launched toll collection on the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Road corridor as part of its plan to repay a $460.8 million loan obtained from China Exim Bank for the road’s rehabilitation and enhancement.
Motorists will be required to pay tolls ranging from ₦500 for standard cars to ₦1,600 for multi-axle vehicles, while police and military vehicles will be exempt to ensure their operational efficiency.
The toll gates are strategically positioned along the 227.2 km road, which is divided into four sections: Keffi, Akwanga, Lafia, and Makurdi.
During the official launch of the toll operations at the Garaku Toll Station in Nasarawa State, Minister of Works David Umahi reiterated the government’s dedication to sustainable road maintenance and infrastructure financing. Represented by the Minister of State for Works, Barrister Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Umahi emphasized that the revenue generated from tolls would also contribute to the maintenance of federal roads.
The minister noted that the previous administration had obtained a loan that covered 85% of the total cost of the road, which amounts to $542 million. As part of the loan agreement, the Federal Government pledged to implement tolls on the road once it was completed, ensuring that the revenue generated would primarily be used for loan repayment.
“It is with immense pride and optimism that I stand before you today, representing the Federal Government of Nigeria, as we officially launch the toll operations on our federal roads,” Umahi announced.
He emphasized that the road is a crucial economic and strategic corridor, vital for trade, mobility, and national security in the central and northern regions of the country.
The tolling initiative is part of a 25-year Operate and Maintain concession agreement signed in 2023 between the Federal Government and China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company Limited, in collaboration with Catamaran Nigeria Limited. The new toll rates are set at ₦500 for saloon cars, ₦800 for SUVs and jeeps, and ₦1,
Furthermore, tricycles, pedal-powered vehicles, motorcycles, and other small modes of transport utilized by underprivileged communities will not be subject to toll fees.
Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, represented by his deputy, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the completion of the road and called for public cooperation to ensure the success of the tolling program.
Folorunsho Adebiyi, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, highlighted the critical role of road infrastructure in Nigeria, pointing out that over 99% of the population depends on road transport, as air travel remains out of reach for many.
“The fact is that fewer than 1% of Nigerians use air travel. This creates significant pressure on our roadways, and with increasing traffic volumes, we need to generate sufficient revenue for proper road maintenance,” Adebiyi remarked.
