Minister of Works, David Umahi, says more federal roads would be tolled to ensure effective infrastructure maintenance.
Umahi made this statement on Saturday while inspecting the ongoing construction on the Abuja-Kaduna dual carriageway.
The Minister said that the Federal Government was leveraging Public-Private Partnerships, PPP, to improve road infrastructure across Nigeria for socio-economic benefits.
He stated that major roads within the six geopolitical zones and key economic corridors would be tolled.
“However, we will not toll any road that has not been fully completed. Before tolling, we must ensure the road is 100 per cent finished,” he said.
According to him, where roads were completed years ago but had deteriorated, agreements would be reached with stakeholders on necessary maintenance.
Umahi stressed that lack of maintenance remained a major issue for Nigerian roads.
“How do you maintain 35,000 kilometres of road? We must involve the private sector in this maintenance effort.
“If a 200-kilometre road has 150 kilometres completed, we must decide on maintenance plans. Without maintenance, those sections could deteriorate.
“That is our focus. However, for now, no unfinished road will be tolled,” the minister said.
According to him, work on the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway would be completed within 14 months.
Umahi further stated that sections one and three of the road had been awarded to Infoquest Nigeria Ltd., following Federal Executive Council approval.
Umahi stated that efforts were underway to address failed sections of the road, including depressions along 38 kilometres of section one, from Abuja to Kaduna.
