FG to collect toll at border posts

By Miriam Humbe with agency report

The Federal Government has concluded plans to introduce toll on Nigeria’s borders with neighbouring African countries.

The chairman, Concessioning and Tolling Committee, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Alhaji Mohammed Gusau, said this at the Idiroko border on Friday when members of the committee visited for on-the-spot assessment and a meeting with stakeholders.

Gusau, who led other members of the committee to the stakeholders meeting said the Federal Government would soon introduce the International Vehicle Transit charge at the nation’s border posts.

And the revenue earned through this, he said, would be used in maintaining the roads.

He said, “The Federal Government will soon introduce the International Vehicle Transit charge. The motorists coming into the country and those leaving through our border posts will pay a toll. This is the practice in other neighbouring African countries.

“As you leave this Idiroko border, before you enter the capital of Republic of Benin, Cotonou, you will pay a toll at their border post before you enter with your vehicle.”

Gusau, however, said FERMA would put the roads leading to the border posts in good shape before tolling would commence.

He said, “Before the tolling commences, FERMA will put those roads in our border posts, whether in Idiroko, Calabar, Seme and any other place which are in deplorable condition, in good shape. If the roads are in good shape, the people will be happy to pay the toll.”

Concerning the Idiroko border, the committee chairman, after assessment and meeting with stakeholders, said the committee would write about its findings and make recommendations to the appropriate authorities.

The stakeholders include the Nigeria Customs Services, Nigeria Immigration Service, Police, Federal Road Safety Corps, traditional rulers, Freight Forwarders Association, National Union of Road Transport Workers, and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria.