By Gabriel Ameh
The Federal Government is facing fresh criticism over multiple toll collection points along the Keffi–Lafia–Makurdi highway, with the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) demanding an immediate suspension of toll operations over concerns about rising costs, road quality and transparency.
The rights group described the tolling arrangement as an additional financial burden on Nigerians, particularly motorists, commercial transport operators, traders and businesses operating across Nasarawa and Benue states.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, said the arrangement was insensitive to the economic realities facing citizens, who are already struggling with rising transportation costs, food prices and declining purchasing power.
The association questioned the rationale behind multiple toll payments along a single highway, arguing that the arrangement increases the cost of transportation and could ultimately push up the prices of essential commodities.
The Federal Government commenced toll operations on February 4, 2025, along the 227.2-kilometre Abuja–Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi highway.
Under the approved fee structure, saloon cars pay ₦500 per toll point, SUVs and jeeps ₦800, minibuses and light buses ₦1,000, while trucks, buses and multi-axle vehicles pay ₦1,600.
HURIWA estimates that a saloon car travelling through all four toll points could pay ₦2,000 for a one-way journey and ₦4,000 for a return trip, assuming charges apply at every plaza in both directions.
For commercial transport operators, the cumulative charges add to existing expenses such as fuel, vehicle maintenance, spare parts and other operational costs.
The group warned that transport operators could transfer these additional expenses to passengers and consumers through higher fares and increased prices of goods.
ROAD QUALITY RAISES FRESH CONCERNS
Beyond the financial implications, HURIWA questioned whether the condition of the highway justifies the toll charges imposed on motorists.
According to the association, road users have raised concerns about deteriorating sections of the highway, peeling road surfaces and poorly constructed culverts and drainage structures.
It also cited complaints that some drainage structures reportedly failed within the road’s first year of use, leaving certain sections impassable for weeks.
HURIWA said these allegations, if established, raise serious questions about construction quality, project supervision, contractual compliance and maintenance responsibilities.
The organisation insisted that Nigerians should not be made to pay for infrastructure whose durability and maintenance standards remain questionable.
It called on the Federal Government and relevant project authorities to publish verifiable information on the highway’s construction standards, defect-liability arrangements and maintenance obligations.
CASHLESS PAYMENT SYSTEM UNDER SCRUTINY
The rights group also expressed concerns about the cashless toll collection arrangement, which reportedly relies on point-of-sale terminals, ATM cards and preloaded electronic cards requiring a minimum balance of ₦10,000.
While acknowledging the administrative benefits of electronic payments, HURIWA argued that the system should not create additional hardship through payment difficulties, long queues and traffic congestion.
It said motorists have complained about delays caused by limited access to payment instruments and the burden of completing separate transactions at multiple toll points.
The association called for an integrated payment system that eliminates unnecessary repeated transactions and provides accessible alternatives for motorists.
It also urged the government to address operational challenges before compelling millions of road users to depend on the system.
FOOD PRICES AND BUSINESSES AT RISK
HURIWA described the Keffi–Lafia–Makurdi highway as a strategic economic corridor connecting farming communities, markets and distribution centres across Nasarawa and Benue states.
According to the organisation, the route plays an important role in transporting agricultural produce and other essential commodities to markets across Nigeria.
It warned that repeated toll payments could increase the cost of moving food from farms to markets, placing additional pressure on traders, farmers, transporters and households.
The group said the economic consequences would extend beyond motorists in the affected states because consumers across the country depend on commodities transported through the corridor.
HURIWA maintained that infrastructure policies should encourage economic activities and reduce logistical costs rather than introduce additional financial obstacles for businesses and ordinary citizens.
GOVERNMENT URGED TO DISCLOSE TOLLING AGREEMENT
The association acknowledged that the Federal Government had defended the tolling arrangement as part of a public-private partnership framework designed to support road maintenance and recover financing obligations, including a China Exim Bank loan.
However, it argued that financing obligations should not automatically justify tolling arrangements that impose disproportionate costs on citizens.
HURIWA called for the publication of the concession and tolling agreements, revenue-sharing arrangements, maintenance obligations and mechanisms for auditing collections and expenditure.
It also demanded an explanation of how reported road defects are being addressed and who bears responsibility for correcting construction deficiencies.
DEMANDS IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION
The rights organisation urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Works to immediately suspend toll collection along the Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi corridor pending an independent review.
Among its demands are a review of the number and distribution of toll plazas, an independent technical audit of the highway and the introduction of a more affordable and efficient payment arrangement.
HURIWA also called for consultations with transport unions, traders, farmers, affected communities and state legislatures before further decisions are taken on tolling operations.
Additionally, it demanded a transparent toll-revenue accountability system that would enable Nigerians to know how much is collected, how the funds are spent and what improvements motorists should expect.
The association stressed that it was not opposed to responsible infrastructure financing but would resist policies that impose excessive financial burdens without adequate transparency, accountability and service delivery.
HURIWA maintained that the Federal Government must prioritise public welfare over revenue collection, warning that essential transport corridors should not become instruments for deepening poverty.
It urged President Tinubu to direct an urgent review of the tolling arrangement and ensure that the concerns of motorists, businesses and affected communities are addressed.
The group said the people of Nasarawa and Benue, whose agricultural and commercial activities contribute significantly to the nation’s food supply, deserve infrastructure policies that support their livelihoods rather than increase their economic difficulties.
