FG to begin collection of toll at Nigerian border posts

The Federal Government has concluded plans to introduce toll at Nigeria’s major border posts with neighbouring African countries.

Chairman, Concessionaire and Tolling Committee, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Alhaji Mohammed Gusau, said this at the Idiroko border on Friday when members of the committee visited it for on the spot assessment and met stakeholders on the matter.

Gusau who led other members of the committee to the stakeholders meeting said the Federal Government would soon introduce the International Vehicle Transit charge at the nation’s border posts.

And the revenue earned through this, he said, it would be used in maintaining the roads.

He said, “The Federal Government will soon introduce the International Vehicle Transit charge. The motorists coming into country and those leaving through our border posts will pay a toll. This is the practice in other neighbouring African countries.

“As you leave this Idiroko border, before you enter capital of Republic of Benin, Cotonou, you will pay a toll at their border post before you enter with your vehicle.”

Gusau, however, said the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, would put the roads at the border posts in good shape before the tolling would commence.

He said, “Before the tolling commences, the FERMA will put those roads in our border posts whether in Idiroko, Calabar, Seme and any other place which are in deplorable condition in good shape.

“If the roads are in good shape, the people will be happy to pay the toll.”

Concerning Idiroko border, the committee chairman having done on the spot assessment on it, and met with stakeholders, said they would write about their findings and make recommendations to the appropriate authorities.

The stakeholders which include Nigeria Customs Services, Nigeria Immigration Service, Police, Federal Road Safety Corps, traditional rulers, Freight Forwarders Association, National Union of Road Transport Workers, and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria.

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FG to begin collection of toll at Nigerian border posts