FG to toll major highways to ensure maintenance – Umahi

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, said on Saturday that more federal roads would be tolled to ensure effective infrastructure maintenance. Umahi stated this while inspecting the ongoing construction on the Abuja-Kaduna dual carriageway. He stated that the Federal Government was leveraging Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to improve road infrastructure across Nigeria, which would benefit the country economically. He said 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. Umahi explained that agreements would be reached with stakeholders on necessary maintenance where roads were completed years ago but had deteriorated. He emphasised 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. He stated that work on the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway would be completed within 14 months. Umahi added that, following Federal Executive Council approval, Infoquest Nigeria Ltd. was awarded sections one and three of the road. “The Federal Executive Council approved the construction of these sections on Monday. Infoquest Nigeria Ltd. has commenced work. “We are not here primarily to assess the volume of work done. Instead, we are holding a side meeting to determine mobilisation levels,” he said. Umahi stated that efforts were underway to address failed road sections, including depressions along 38 kilometres of section one from Abuja to Kaduna. He directed the Permanent Secretary to work with contractors and consultants to assess the entire 38-kilometre stretch and determine the best solution. While inspecting the Lambata Bridge on the Abuja-Minna road, Umahi said measures had been introduced to prevent erosion and deter illegal mining and sand excavation. He stated that solutions had been implemented to protect the pile caps from illegal sand mining and erosion damage.