The Federal Government has officially commenced toll operations on the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Road corridor as part of efforts to repay the $460.8m loan obtained from China Exim Bank for the rehabilitation and upgrade of the road.
Motorists using the highway will now pay tolls ranging from N500 for saloon cars to N1,600 for multi-axle vehicles, while police and military vehicles are exempted to enhance their operations.
The toll gates, strategically positioned along the 227.2km stretch of road, are divided into four sections: Keffi, Akwanga, Lafia, and Makurdi.
Speaking at the official launch of toll operations at the Garaku Toll Station in Nasarawa State, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustainable road maintenance and infrastructure funding.
Represented by the Minister of State for Works, Barrister Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Umahi explained that toll revenue would also support the upkeep of federal roads across the country.
The minister recalled that the previous administration had secured the $460.8m loan, which covered 85% of the road’s total $542m cost.
As part of the loan agreement, the Federal Government committed to tolling the road upon completion, ensuring that revenue generated would be channeled primarily into loan repayment.
“It is with great pride and optimism that I stand before you today, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, as we officially launch the commencement of toll operations on our federal roads, beginning with the 227.2km Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Road Corridor,” Umahi said.
He described the road as a vital economic and strategic route, serving the central and northern regions for trade, mobility, and national security.
The tolling operation 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.
According to the Federal Ministry of Works, the new toll rates are as follows: saloon cars will be tolled at N500, SUVs and jeeps at N800, minibuses at N1,000, while multi-axle vehicles will pay N1,600. Frequent road users, such as commercial light vehicles, will enjoy a 50% discount.
Additionally, tricycles, pedal vehicles, motorcycles, and other small transport modes used by disadvantaged populations are exempt from toll charges.
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, represented by his deputy, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for completing the road and urged Nigerians to cooperate with the government to ensure its success.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, Folorunsho Adebiyi, stressed the importance of road infrastructure in Nigeria, emphasising that over 99% of Nigerians rely on road transport, as air travel remains inaccessible to most.
“The reality is that less than 1% of Nigerians travel by air. This places immense pressure on our roads, and with rising traffic volumes, we must generate enough revenue for effective road maintenance,” Adebiyi stated.
