The Senate on Tuesday passed a resolution, backing reintroduction of toll gate policy on Nigeria’s federal highways.
Following a motion by Suleiman Nazif (APC-Bauchi), the Senate resolved to collaborate with other relevant bodies to study the toll gate policy and find “effective and efficient ways to carry out the policy in order to generate more funds for roads maintenance.”
While arguing for reintroduction of toll gates, Mr. Nazif noted the deplorable state of Nigerian roads which he said could be addressed with revenue generated from collection of toll.
He said the policy was abolished in 2004 by President Olusegun Obasanjo who advocated roads should rather be maintained from revenue generated from fuel pump price increase.
Mr. Nazif’s motion was supported by the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, Biodun Olujimi (PDP-Ekiti), Akpan Bassey (PDP-Cross River), and Bukar Ibrahim (APC-Yobe) among others.
Mr. Ndume said he supported reintroduction of toll to maintain roads, given Nigeria’s shrinking revenue.
Mrs. Olujimi emphasised the need for transparency in the management of the toll gates.
Source: Premium Times
