The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved the federal roads and bridges tolling policy and regulation that will provide a legal framework for its implementation.
The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of the Federal Executive Ciuncil (FEC) held virtually on Wednesday.
He said the council also approved only dual carriageways out of the 35,000 kilometres of the road should be eligible for tolling by the federal government, adding dual carriageways represented only 5,050 kilometres out of the 35,000km.
Fashola said the tolling would not start until the roads were made motorable.
“You will recall that about three years ago, you have asked severally here when roads will be tolled and I told you there is a lot of work,” the minister said.
“So, we have taken another step; let me be clear, tolls are not going to start tomorrow; so, let us just be clear about that; but the bid step to actual tolling was taken today by presenting for approval the broad policy that would guide tolling.
“So, that local people, states, local governments, all those who manage roads, investors who want to come in, will know what our tolling policy is.
“And that will form the basis of their financial modelling, their investments decision.
“When will they start? Tolls will not start until the roads are motorable; there will be agreements that have to be in place; negotiated with the government through the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission.’’
He said the FG would adopt an open tolling policy rather than a closed one.
“The difference is that on the open tolling policy which is what we are used to before, you pay toll at barrier over a fixed or pre-determined distance,” Fashola said.
“Closed tolls system means that you pay tolls over the distance you travel and the size of your vehicle; we have not that operated before; so, we are going back to what we know.
“We also approved that consultations must be done; willingness to pay; surveys must be done before specific roads are tolled.’’
He said the tolls will be used to maintain the roads, construct new roads as well as pay the investors who invest in building or completing a road and then take a concession on it.
The minister also said a process of largely electronic collection and management system for audit and transparency will be adopted.
