By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
Foremost economic expert, Professor Uche Uwaleke has applauded Federal government’s plan to re-introduce tollgates on dual carriageway federal highways across the country, provided that the affected roads are well maintained.
Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola had announced federal government’s plan to reintroduce toll collections on designated dual carriageways across the country while briefing newsmen at the end of the weekly virtual Federal Executive Council meeting.
The planned reintroduction of tollgates comes 18 years after the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo dismantled all toll plazas on federal roads throughout the country in 2003.
According to the Minister, only 5, 005 kilometres of dual carriageways out of the 35,000 kilometres of federal roads in the country– that is 14.3 per cent – would be eligible for tolling. He said vehicles would pay between N200 and N500 per trip, depending on their make.
However, diplomatic, military, para-military vehicles, and as well as tricycles and motorcycles would be exempted from toll payment, the minister stated.
Commenting on the development, Professor Uwaleke said the idea is a good one because the measure will not have “any significant negative multiplier effect on the economy “.
In a statement released on Friday, Uwakeke, a former Imo State Commissioner for Finance said, “it is cheering to note the assurances of the Minister of Works and Housing that the implementation will not commence until the roads are motorable”.
His words, “I do not think the measure will have any significant negative multiplier effect on the economy. This is because only about 14% of the network of federal roads will be eligible for tolling according to Fashola, the Minister. Also, given that the toll rates were arrived at following recommendations by transport operators, I do not expect that the same operators will take undue advantage of the situation to hike transport fares.
“Besides, certain categories of vehicles, especially those used by the poor and vulnerable, have been exempted. These include motorcycles and tricycles such as the popular Keke NAPEP.
“I think the tolling system will be better implemented this time around unlike what obtained in the past. The deployment of electronic toll collection and the involvement of the private sector represent key success factors.
“On balance, the benefits far outweigh the costs. It goes without saying that the high inflation rate in Nigeria today is partly caused by high transport costs associated with bad roads many of which have become death traps.
“Regular maintenance of these roads from toll collection, as done in other countries, will help bring down transport fares and urban inflation rate in particular. Another benefit of its implementation is the job opportunity it will provide to a number of youths”.
