The House of Representatives has called for the concessioning of eligible federal roads to private investors and the reintroduction of toll gates as part of efforts to address the persistent deterioration of highways across the country.
The proposal, sponsored by Hon. Esosa Iyawe, Hon. Olusola Fatoba, Hon. Abdulmaleek Danga and Hon. Uche Okonkwo, seeks a sustainable financing and maintenance framework to improve road infrastructure, reduce the burden on government funding and attract private-sector investment.
The lawmakers expressed concern over the deplorable condition of several federal roads, particularly the Benin-Lagos, Benin-Asaba, Benin-Warri and Benin-Okenе corridors in Edo State, which serve as major transportation links between the South-South, South-East, southern and northern parts of the country.
They noted that prolonged neglect, inadequate maintenance, insufficient funding and pressure from heavy-duty vehicles had contributed to road deterioration, resulting in accidents, loss of lives, vehicle damage, higher transportation costs and delays in the movement of people and goods.
According to the lawmakers, continued reliance on annual budgetary allocations has not consistently delivered the level of rehabilitation and maintenance required to sustain the country’s extensive federal road network.
They argued that transparent Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements would attract private capital, technical expertise and efficient project management for the rehabilitation, operation and long-term maintenance of eligible federal highways.
The lawmakers also proposed the reintroduction of toll gates on selected highways after substantial rehabilitation, with charges determined through transparent economic assessments, public consultation and affordability considerations.
They maintained that a properly regulated tolling system could generate revenue for routine maintenance and road safety operations while reducing the immediate financial burden on the Federal Government.
Beyond revenue generation, the proposal noted that toll plazas could create direct and indirect employment opportunities in toll administration, security, traffic management, catering, retail businesses and other support services.
The lawmakers further observed that strategically located toll plazas could support lawful security operations, intelligence gathering, emergency response and the monitoring of vehicular movements, provided they do not obstruct the free movement of citizens or become avenues for harassment and extortion.
To advance the proposal, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Works to develop a comprehensive national framework for concessioning eligible federal roads under transparent PPP arrangements, prioritising highways requiring urgent rehabilitation and those serving major economic and commercial corridors.
It also called on the ministry, in collaboration with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and other relevant agencies, to assess the federal road network and identify suitable roads for concessioning, rehabilitation, operation and long-term maintenance.
The House further urged the Federal Ministry of Works to reintroduce toll gates on selected federal highways following substantial rehabilitation and the establishment of clear concession agreements, enforceable service standards and transparent tolling arrangements.
It also mandated its Committees on Public Assets, Works and Finance to engage relevant agencies on the proposed framework, monitor implementation and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
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