Nigeria is set to implement a cashless tolling system on the Abuja-Keffi expressway, a major highway connecting the country’s capital to the northern region. This move is part of the government’s Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI), aimed at promoting a sustainable transportation ecosystem.
According to Senator David Umahi, the Minister of Works, the cashless tolling system is a strategic programme under the HDMI initiative. “This is one of the cardinal strategies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu towards realizing the desires of our people in the road sector development,” Umahi said during the inauguration of a committee for the project.
The committee is tasked with developing an implementation framework for the cashless tolling system, as well as making recommendations on the potential for relief stations and a good physical environment along the highway corridors. The project also involves the dualization of the Keffi-Akwanga-Makurdi Road, which was partially funded by the China Exim Bank.
Umahi commended President Tinubu for his economic recovery initiatives and expressed hope that the committee would develop a robust implementation masterplan. He also emphasized the importance of relief stations, which would provide essential services such as supermarkets, clinics, and security outfits.
The government’s vision is to have a maximum response time of 10 minutes on major highways, which would be achieved through the installation of CCTV cameras and solar lights along the route. This would enable security personnel to respond quickly to any incidents, ensuring the safety of road users.
The implementation of the cashless tolling system is expected to promote efficiency and reduce congestion on the Abuja-Keffi expressway. It is also seen as a step towards achieving the government’s goal of developing a sustainable transportation ecosystem in Nigeria.