Transporters, NLC chapters, TUC reject highway tolling
Transporters and labour unions on Wednesday condemned the reintroduction of highway tolls, stating that it would further worsen the hardship in the country.
The National Association of Road Transport Owners, the National Union of Road Transport Workers, and the state chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress asserted that the policy would result in a hike in transportation and food costs.
The reintroduction of tolling on the highways kicked off on the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Expressway on Tuesday.
The 227.2-kilometer road is among the nine expressways scheduled for tolling by the Federal Government.
It was rehabilitated through a Preferential Credit Loan from the China Exim Bank.
Other roads listed for tolling include the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Second Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kano Road and Makurdi-9th Mile Road.
The nine roads listed for concessions are under Phase I of the Highways Development and Management Initiative.
Works Minister David Umahi, who flagged off the tolling, said the toll order for the roads had been gazetted.
According to him, saloon cars will pay N500; sports utility vehicles/jeeps, N800; minibuses N1,000 and multi-axle (articulated) vehicles, N1,600.
Commercial light vehicles, as defined under the Federal Highway Act, will enjoy a 50 per cent discount.
Authorised bicycles, pedal cycles, tricycles, motorcycles and other modes of two or three-wheeled transport used by mainly disadvantaged populations will be offered a 100 per cent discount.
The loan agreement provides that upon completion, the road would be tolled, operated and maintained by a privately run entity (concessionaire).
“The revenue collected from the operation (deducting the operation cost) shall be preferentially used for the loan repayment to the China EXIM Bank,” the contractual agreement states.
The minister said, “In the coming months, the Federal Government will continue with the launching and operationalisation of the remaining ones located across the six geo-political zones of the country.
“This initiative has opened a new chapter in the history of Nigeria as it gives the Federal Government the opportunity to overcome bad roads.
“Tolling operations is a pivotal step towards the realisation of our vision for a more efficient, sustainable and well-maintained road transport system for our beloved country.
“Today, we embark on a journey to ensure that our infrastructure is preserved for the benefit of present and future generations. The collection of tolls will generate much-needed revenue for the maintenance and expansion of our roads.’’
However, the Chairman of NARTO, Dutse chapter, Jigawa State, Mallam Garba, expressed concerns about the impact of tolling on the transport sector.
Garba urged the Federal Government to reconsider the policy, saying, “Tolling will increase the cost of transportation, which will ultimately be passed on to the consumers. This will lead to higher prices of goods and services, and further worsen the economic situation.”
He added, “The best time for tolling would be when the economy is stable, and the government has provided adequate infrastructure and amenities to the people. Currently, the timing is wrong, and the policy will only worsen the economic situation.”
A National Union of Road Transport Workers official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “We are not against the idea of tolling, but we believe it should be done in a way that does not punish the poor. The government should consider alternative funding options for road maintenance.”
The Chairman of the Jigawa State chapter of the NLC, Sanusi Maigatari, decried the policy as a burden on the people.
He argued that the government should instead focus on providing basic amenities and infrastructure.
“We are not okay with the tolling of federal highways. This will only add to the burden of the common man, who is already struggling to make ends meet,” he noted.
On the implications of tolling on the transport sector and the economy, the NLC chairman warned that it would worsen the living conditions of Nigerians.
“Tolling will lead to increased costs, reduced competitiveness, and job losses in the transport sector. It will also exacerbate the poverty and inequality in the country,” he stated.
Echoing a similar opinion, the Jigawa state Chairman of NURTW, Alhaji Abdullahi Muhammad, declared the union’s opposition to the idea.
“We reject the tolling of federal highways. This is not the right time for such a policy considering the current economic challenges facing the country,” he said, urging the government to reconsider its decision and engage stakeholders in a meaningful dialogue.
“The government should consider implementing tolling in phases, starting with major highways and gradually expanding to other roads. This will help to minimize the impact on the transport sector and the economy,” Muhammad suggested.
A TUC official, who did not want his name in print because he was not authorised to speak to the media, declared that the union would not support any policy that could worsen the economic situation in the country.
He said, “The government should be aware that tolling will not only affect the transport sector but also have a ripple effect on the entire economy. We urge the government to reconsider its decision and explore alternative solutions.”
Malam Abdullahi Musa, a grain dealer at the Damaturu main market, expressed concerns about the timing of the policy, citing the current economic challenges faced by ordinary citizens.
“The government should have explored alternative sources for road maintenance and ensured that federal roads are in good condition,” Musa proposed.
He noted that some federal roads have become death traps where criminals attack and kidnap commuters.
The Yobe State NLC Chairman, Muktari Tarabutu, echoed the same sentiment, urging the government to prioritize the people’s welfare.
“The government needs to study the situation carefully before implementing policies that will only add to the hardship faced by ordinary citizens,” Tarabutu said.
Mallam Sanusi Umar, a trailer driver, said he would not mind paying tolls if the revenue was spent on road maintenance.
The Abia State Chairman of NARTO, Amaobi Ohaeri, asked the government to rehabilitate the roads before tolling them.
He described the tolling as another form of taxation which would inflict more hardship on Nigerians.
Ohaeri noted, “Let them repair the roads first and then establish toll gates which must be at a reasonable fee. Any plan by the Federal Government to return toll gates at federal highways is another form of taxation.
“It is another way of paying tax. To a reasonable extent, the decision may not affect much the cost of transport in the country. The revenues generated should be used to repair federal roads, while the government should ensure that there is a law on truck weights to enable the roads to last.’’
Ohaeri called for public sensitization before the toll implementation.
The Abia NLC council pointed out that the government has yet to discuss highway tolling with organised labour.
The state chairman, Ogbonnaya Okoro, admonished the government against being insensitive to the people’s plight.
“Already, Nigerians are suffering due to fuel subsidy. The government should be sincere and should not be insensitive to the welfare of Nigerians”, he said, describing tolls as an unwelcome development.
‘’It is adding salt to injury; it is a double jeopardy,” he declared.
The Bayelsa State TUC berated the Federal Government, saying it was simply trying to make money at the expense of the citizens.
The TUC chairman, Laye Julius, slammed the government for trying to provide commercial services rather than social services and questioned what it had done with the various loans it took.
According to him, the government’s responsibility is to ensure the safety of lives and property as well as provide social services.
He blamed the frequency of tanker explosions in parts of the country on the terrible roads.
The Kano State chapter of the NLC asked the Federal Government to desist from further extortion of the masses.
The state NLC chairman, Kabir Inuwa, insisted that the current economic situation does not warrant further extortion of the poor.
He said, “Tolling of federal highways has its advantages and disadvantages. The present economic situation of the country doesn’t require further extortion of the poor.’’
According to him, the government should halt any extortive policies that would further drain the little resources of the poor.
The Secretary of RTEAN, Ogun State chapter, Tiwalade Akingbade welcomed highway tolling provided the charges are reasonable.
Akingbade said that the transporters would be willing to support the initiative in as much as it would help to raise funds for the maintenance of the roads which would in turn reduce the cost of vehicle maintenance.
Akingbade, who is also the National Assistant Secretary of the union, said, “We welcome the decision of the Federal Government to toll our highways provided the charges will be very minimal and not burdensome.
“The amount of money we spend on vehicle maintenance due to bad roads is enormous but with initiatives like this, we want to believe that the funds realised from tolling will be used to maintain these roads.
“We also demand that there should be judicious utilization of these funds because even in developed nations, they toll their roads but the money realised is spent to maintain these roads. We want the same thing to be done here with the tolling of our roads.”
