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Nigerian govt begins tolling of Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Makurdi highway

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3 months ago

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Dave Umahi
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The Federal Government has officially commenced tolling on the 227.2km Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Highway with the inauguration of the Garaku Toll Plaza on Tuesday.

The road, a Public-Private Partnership, PPP, project under the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, ICRC, is part of the government’s broader plan to enhance road infrastructure and ensure sustainable maintenance.

Speaking at the inauguration, Minister of Works, David Umahi, represented by the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, described the highway as a critical infrastructure route essential for economic and social activities across the central and northern regions of Nigeria.

The toll charges for vehicles using the highway are as follows: Cars – N500, SUVs/Jeeps – N800, Minibuses – N1,000, Multi-axle vehicles, trucks, and buses – N1,600

Frequent road users, including commercial light vehicles, will receive a 50% discount, while certain categories of vehicles—such as those belonging to the police, military, paramilitary, ambulances, diplomatic missions, and tricycles—are exempted from toll payments.

The project is the first among nine corridors being concessioned under the Highways Development and Management Initiative, HDMI, Phase 1.

The Federal Government had previously signed a 25-year tolling concession agreement in 2023 with MS China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company to oversee the road’s operation and maintenance.

Umahi explained that the rehabilitation and upgrade of the road were funded through a preferential credit loan from the China Exim Bank, with toll revenues earmarked for loan repayment and road upkeep.

The minister stated that tolling would generate essential revenue for maintenance, expansion, and improved road conditions, ultimately reducing accidents, shortening travel time, and enhancing security.

To ensure seamless transactions, cashless payment methods will be adopted, with Point of Sale, POS, terminals, mobile apps, and electronic payment systems facilitating toll collections.

Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, represented by Deputy Governor, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, praised the initiative, describing the road as a lifeline for national unity and economic growth.

Akabe urged the Federal Government to extend similar upgrades to other federal highways, particularly the Doma-Nasarawa-Abuja road, to further ease travel and boost commerce.

Director-General of the ICRC, Dr. Jobson Ewalefoh, represented by Shehu Danmusa, commended the project as a demonstration of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to infrastructure development.

He reassured Nigerians that more PPP-driven infrastructure projects were in the pipeline beyond road development.

Managing Director of Catamaran, Lai Are, confirmed that tolling operations would be entirely cashless, leveraging technology for efficient payment processing and minimal delays for commuters.

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Politics

BREAKING NEWS: All nine (9) PDP Members of the National Assembly from Rivers State have endorsed the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

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34 minutes ago

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April 26, 2025

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BREAKING NEWS:

All nine (9) PDP Members of the National Assembly from Rivers State have endorsed the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

They didn’t defect to APC. They are still members of the opposition PDP.

But in rare political machination, they have unanimously declared their supports for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu ‘s reelection in 2027 since Atiku Abubakar is insisting on contesting against the south in 2027.

 

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Politics

Governorship Candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Anambra State, Sir Paul Chukwuma has nominated Chief Uzuegbunam Okagbue, the former Chief Protocol Officer and Deputy Chief of Staff to former Gov. Willie Obiano as his running mate in the November 8, 2025 Anambra governorship election

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16 hours ago

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April 25, 2025

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Sir Paul Chukwuma, the governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Anambra State, has unveiled Hon. Uzo Okagbue as his running mate for the November 8, 2025, governorship election. Okagbue, a former Chief Protocol Officer to Governor Willie Obiano, brings valuable experience to the ticket.

Running Mate Background : Okagbue hails from Umonachi community, Dunukofia Local Government Area, and has previously served under former Governor Obiano.
Chukwuma’s Confidence:  The YPP candidate expressed confidence in Okagbue’s ability to help the party win the election, citing his grassroots mobilization strategies.

Okagbue’s Promise: The newly unveiled running mate promised to utilize his political strategy to secure a YPP victory on November 8, with the aim of governing the state from March 17, 2026.

This development sets the stage for an interesting election season in Anambra State.

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Damagum: Wike’s aide blasts Ugochinyere for asking PDP to expel FCT Minister, Anyanwu

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16 hours ago

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April 25, 2025

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Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has branded the House of Representatives member from Ideato Federal constituency of Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere a liar.

Olayinka described Ugochinyere as a political Hushpuppi looking for a platform to practice his alleged nefarious activities.

He was reacting to the lawmakers call for the Peoples Democratic Party National Working Committee, NWC, to expel Wike and embattled National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu from the party.

Ugochinyere had claimed that expelling Wike and Anyanwu as well as removing Umar Damagum as PDP National Chairman would end the crisis within the party.

Warning of an imminent danger, Ugochinyere had said: “Averting this imminent danger which will happen in a matter of days, the NWC must immediately rise up and summon an emergency meeting of the party with their simple majority which they already have with or without Damagum to expel Anyanwu who is the political traitor from the party and also rectify the removal of Damagum by appointing a North Central person as the substantive National Chairman of our party.”

But condemning the lawmaker’s claims, Olayinka said he will no longer be available for the PDP.

In a chat with Ekwutosblog, Olayinka said: “Ugochinyere is one of the lies and deceits of the PDP.

“A political hushpuppi who’s always looking for platform to practice his Yahoo Yahoo politics.

“Very soon, PDP will look for him and he will be nowhere available to the party.”

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