FG begins to beat the federal streets to support infrastructure – Umahi

The federal government has justified its decision to reintroduce the toll on roads selected throughout the country, citing the need for sustainable road infrastructures and greater participation in the private sector.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, revealed it on Thursday during the eighth edition of the Ministerial Print Briefing of 2025 at the National Press Center, Abuja.

Speaking alongside other members of the cabinet, including the Minister of the Arts, of Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, and the Minister of Resources and toilet -Sanitari services, Prof. Joseph Utsev, Umahi said that the toll initiative aligns with the development of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to build a $ 1 anchoring economy on infrastructure on infrastructure durable.

“The toll of the federal roads is not arbitrary; it is incorporated into the contracts pursuant to the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI), a public-private partnership designed not only to build but to maintain critical road infrastructures,” said Umahi.

According to him, unlike the past in which the roads have failed in a short period, the current administration is focused on the construction of roads that will last over 50 years.

“This is the first time that a Nigerian president does not build only roads, but guarantees the quality that supports the test of time.

We are offering roads that will be supported through adequate maintenance and revenue generated by the toll, “he added.

Umahi observed that with over 35,000 kilometers of federal roads – which is expected to increase to 38,000 km in the context of Legacy projects – the only budget allocations are insufficient to maintain them.

He stressed that the public-private partnership model would guarantee both the construction and long-term operation of the roads.

He also revealed that the commitment of stakeholders throughout the country will begin in June to raise awareness of the Nigerians on the logic behind the toll initiative.

“In each developed country, the toll is a standard practice. We cannot continue to expect that the government only support the burden of infrastructure development,” said Umahi.

The minister urged all government workers to align with the president’s economic vision, underlining that national development requires united effort from all sectors.

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