The federal government has officially kicked off tolling on the 227.2 kilometres Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi highway, an arrangement that is expected to help repay a loan obtained from the China Exim Bank.
However, vehicles driven by the police and military will be exempted from paying the fees, while commercial vehicles will pay only 50 per cent.
Specifically, while cars will pay N500, Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) will shell out N800, light vehicles and minibuses will pay N1000, while trucks, buses and multi-axle vehicles will pay N1,600.
A brief on the project showed that toll gates on the routes are divided into four sections, namely Keffi, Akwanga, Lafia and Makurdi.
The agreement falls under the Highway Development Management Initiative (HDMI) Phase 1 framework, which seeks to engage private sector participation in the management of key federal road corridors across the country.
The tolling was concessioned to Messrs China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company Limited, in partnership with Catamaran Nigeria Limited, who will be responsible for tolling, maintenance, and overall operations throughout a 25-year period.
