•Says Tinubu constructing roads to meet $1 trillion economy vision
he Federal government would toll critical road corridors for sustainability under the renewed Hope Agenda, the Minister of Works, David Umahi has said.
Umahi, while speaking at a Ministerial press briefing in Abuja on Friday, said this would enhance ease of doing business in Nigeria and ensure that the roads constructed can last longer than 50 years, with regular and proper maintenance.
He said the Abuja-Kano Road, Port Harcourt road, East West Roads and the four legacy roads which include Lagos – Calabar, Sokoto Badagary Super-highway, Kebbi section and others will be tolled for sustainability as envisioned by President Bola Tinubu’s one trillion dollars economy.
“The vision of the administration by Mr. President is to create an economy of one trillion U.S. dollars. This is to take back our country in all sectors of the economy by promoting local contents.
“The tolling in Keffi to Makurdi, 251 kilometers northeast, is not suspended. It’s going on. What informed tolling of roads? Construction of Keffi on Akwanga was the contract under the China harbor project and has been completed, and part of the agreement is that it will be tolled.
“Just like the four legacy projects. So that has been completed, and that is, we are tolling it because the two carriageways have been completed.
“But you were asking what informs, you know, tolling. The most important thing is not just building these roads. In the past we have built roads, but this is the only time that President Bola Tinubu is constructing roads.
“The most worrying aspect for the Minister of Works is the fact that of these roads, none of the roads built in the past, ever lasted up to 50 years. As they are building, the roads they are failing.
“And that puts a lot of task on FEMA and the Minister of Works. So that is the challenge, we will solve in two-prongs. We have 35,000 kilometers of roads nationwide.
“When you add the new legacy projects, you’ll be looking at over, 38 kilometers of roads. It is difficult for Nigerian’s budgetary provision alone to funds and for this federal government to complete all these roads. “So that’s why we are doing it with the PPP.
“So the idea is not only to get this roads constructed, but to also maintain it. And so in the first week of June, we are going to go around and do stakeholders engagements and appeal to them that when we have completed these roads, let us have im them towed.
“For example, you look at the Abuja- Kano, a sizable section is completed, but if we leave it like that until we finish the rest of the sections, they will all go bad.
“The Port Harcourt road, East West Road, the same thing. So that is what informs the reason for doing it.
“Not just to have the private sector participate like in every other civilized country but also ensure that it is operated and maintained.
“The GDP is working. Our foreign reserve has increased. The food prices are coming down. So these are the impact of those roads so far constructed”, he stated.
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