The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has announced the federal government’s plan to toll more federal roads in order to ensure effective infrastructure maintenance.
Umahi, who stated this while inspecting the ongoing construction on the Abuja-Kaduna dual carriageway, said the federal government is leveraging Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to improve road infrastructure across Nigeria for socio-economic benefits, stating 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 percent finished,” he assured.
Umahi explained that where roads were completed years ago but have deteriorated, agreements would be reached with stakeholders on necessary maintenance, lamenting that lack of maintenance remains a major issue with 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 stressed.
Disclosing that work on the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway would be completed within 14 months, Umahi added that sections one and three of the road had been awarded to Infoquest Nigeria Ltd., following the Federal Executive Council approval.
“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.
Efforts are underway to address failed sections of the road, including depressions along 38 kilometres of section one, from Abuja to Kaduna, the Works Minister explained, directing 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 deter illegal mining and sand excavation, to prevent erosion, restating that solutions had been implemented to protect the pile caps from illegal sand mining and erosion damage.
