The Federal Government yesterday began\u00a0the tolling of the 227.2km Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Highway with the inauguration of the Garaku Toll Plaza axis of the road.
\nCertain categories of vehicles, including security, diplomatic, ambulances and tricycles are, however, exempted from the tolling.
\nThe Tide\u2019s source reports that the road is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project under the aegis of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).
\nSpeaking during the inauguration, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, described the corridor as a vital infrastructure route in Nigeria.
\nAccording to him, it is essential for both the economic and social activities of the central and northern parts of the country.
\nUmahi was represented by the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo.
\nHe recalled that the Federal Government under the previous administration in 2023, executed a 25-year toll of rates concession agreement with MS China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company.
\nThe Minister said that the government rehabilitated and upgraded the roads through the preferential credit loan from China Exim Bank.
\nHe explained that it was agreed, among other things, that the road would be tolled, and maintained by a private party and revenue collected would be used to repay the loan.
\n\u201cThe Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Makurdi project is the first among the nine corridors being concessioned under the Highways Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) Phase 1 to commence operations.
\n\u201cIn the coming months, the Federal Government will continue with the launching and operationalisation of the remaining ones located across the six geopolitical zones of this country.
\n\u201cThis initiative has opened a new chapter in the history of Nigeria, as it gives the Federal Government the opportunity to overcome bad routes,\u201d he said.
\nUmahi said the collection of tolls would generate the much-needed revenue for the maintenance and expansion of the Renewed Hope Road Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
\nHe said that the Tinubu administration was committed to building a robust, interconnected infrastructure for socio-economic growth.
\n\u201cThe toll order fee schedule for Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafayette-Makurdi Federal Highway has been designated as follows: cars-N500; SUV Jeep-N800; minibuses N1000, and multi-axle vehicles, trucks and buses N1600.
\n\u201cHowever, frequent road users like the commercial light vehicles defined under the Federal Highways Act, will enjoy a 50 per cent discount.
\n\u201cAuthorised vehicles, pedal vehicles, tricycles, motorcycles, and other modes of two or three wheels transport used by mainly disadvantaged populations will be offered a 100 per cent discount,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Federal Government yesterday began\u00a0the tolling of the 227.2km Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Highway with the inauguration of the Garaku Toll Plaza axis of the road. Certain categories of vehicles, including security, diplomatic, ambulances and tricycles are, however, exempted from the tolling. The Tide\u2019s source reports that the road is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project under the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[20],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n