The Federal Government has announced plans to implement a cashless tolling system on the Abuja-Keffi Expressway.
This initiative is part of the Highway Development and Management Initiative, aimed at promoting a strong and sustainable transportation ecosystem, according to Channels TV.
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, disclosed this while inaugurating a committee to oversee the project and the dualization of the Keffi-Akwanga-Makurdi Road.
The cashless tolling system is a strategic program under the HDMI, aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for road sector development.
The project aims to enhance security and safety on the highway. Key features include relief stations with amenities such as supermarkets, clinics, and security outfits. The highway will also be equipped with CCTV cameras and solar lighting to ensure real-time monitoring and illumination.
The Minister tasked the committee with developing a robust implementation framework, addressing challenges, and providing recommendations for the project’s success. The committee’s terms of reference include developing the cashless tolling system implementation framework and identifying potential relief stations.
The Federal Government’s investment in road infrastructure is expected to stimulate economic growth and improve the overall driving experience.
The cashless tolling system and related initiatives demonstrate the government’s commitment to modernizing Nigeria’s transportation network.
“This is one of the cardinal strategies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu towards realising the desires of our people in the road sector development,” Umahi said.
“Recall that a point of Keffi-Akwanga-Makurdi was done on EPC + F, and funded up to 85% by China Exim Bank, and the federal government paid 15% counterpart funding and the job was executed satisfactorily by China Harbour Ltd.
“Part of the agreement is that they will toll the road and then recoup the money for the federal government to pay back the loan segment of the project.”
Umahi stated, “We must also, as part of the assignment, develop relief stations. Relief stations are what you see in overseas’ expressways, where you have a lot of stations where you have a supermarket, you have a small clinic, you have also security outfits, and a number of other facilities, including parks, wheel lorries, and vehicles park, and tow vans.
“The idea of Mr President is that we should have a maximum of 10 minutes of response time on our highways, meaning that in the full development of this route, part of the assignment will be how we can install CCTV cameras, and also have solar light all through the entire route of the project.
“And so, we will be able to put security on our roads, and then we have a station at the relief centre, where they will stay and watch the vehicles, so that within 10 minutes of any incident along the route, the security people will be able to be there – within 10 minutes response time. This is the idea of Mr. President, and for our major highways.”
