FG to bring back toll gates - Fashola

The newly appointed minister of power, works and housing; Mr Babatundu Fashola revealed at the Maiden press conference held at the ministry of works in Abuja that the Federal Government is keen on reintroducing the toll gates into the country. He further assured nigerians that revenue generated would be channelled towards sustaining and maintaining quality federal roads around the country, he promised nigerians that
money generated from the toll gates will be properly documented and judiciously put to use.

His words: “Maintenance would be our watchword. We are setting up a robust maintenance regime to keep our highways in good shape. This shows that tolling is necessary to support government funding. So, it will not be too much if we ask every road user to pay a little to augment government funding for road maintenance. It is eminent commonsense for us to find that money. We will use technology; so if you don’t pay cash, you will pay by tokens or tickets and the money is accountable and it will go to the right place. We will manage that fund properly and we will hold those who we put there to account.”

On questions regarding the ministry's involvement with state link roads encountering congestion due to poor construction, the minister stated that the ministry is poised to providing good road networks and as such would focus on those roads before it will continue with some other ongoing projects.