Federal Government says preparations are on top gear to return highway toll gates in the country.
The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola disclosed this to State House correspondent after the Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“So let me be clear, tolls are not going to start tomorrow, but the big step to actual tolling was taken today by presenting for approval, the broad policy that will guide the tolling so that local people, states, local governments, all those who manage roads, investors who want to come in, will know what our tolling policy is. And that will form the basis of their financial modelling and their investment decision.”
Babatunde Raji Fashola explained that the toll would not start until all the roads were motorable.
He stated that Nigerians were to pay tolls for using only the federal roads in the country, with exception of Bicycles, Tricycles, Motorcycles, Diplomatic vehicles, Military and Paramilitary vehicles.
According to him, Cars will pay N200, SUVs: N300, Private Buses: N300, Commercial Buses: N150, Luxury Buses and Trucks: N500.
The Minister added that the policy would be an Open Tolling system (just like the one that used to be in existence in the country), instead of a Closed Tolling system. (A Closed Tolling system means that you pay per distance travelled (‘distance-dependent), while Open Tolling means you pay a fixed/flat rate that is not dependent on distance travelled).
Bello Wakili, Abuja