Investors push to refund tolls on Tinubu’s legacy roads – Umahi

By John Alechenu

Minister of Works David Umahi announced that investors are requesting refunds and the implementation of tolling on completed sections of President Bola Tinubu’s road projects.

Umahi made the statement at the Federal Ministry of Works headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja, while signing Memoranda of Understanding and contract agreements for eight major road projects across the country over the weekend.

“Just like in section one that we finished in Lagos, a lot of investors are begging to be given that section for them to toll and then give back our money even before they start tolling,” he said.

This was included in a statement signed by his media aide, Francis Nwaze, in Abuja.

The minister described the projects as part of the expanding legacy of the Tinubu administration. He noted that the government had procured 123 km of the Calabar‑Ebonyi‑Abuja Super Highway from Calabar through Ebonyi to the Benue border. The newly signed section adds another 173 km through Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa states to the Oweto Bridge.

Umahi added that the government will soon procure a second carriageway of about 300 km from Ndibe Beach to Oweto in Nasarawa State.

He said the highway would reduce travel time between the South‑East and Abuja to three or four hours and boost commercial activities.

“I want to say this without any apology, the South‑East people will reciprocate what the President has done for the people. What happened in 2023 was an accident of history and in 2027, we will show our appreciation,” he stated.

Regarding the Lagos‑Calabar Coastal Highway, Umahi said that skepticism has given way to national support as work progressed. By November, motorists will be able to travel from Ahmadu Bello Way in Lagos through Sections One, Two and part of Section Four to Ondo State. Sections 3A and 3B in Cross River and Akwa Ibom are ongoing, while Section Five covering 165.6 km has commenced.

“This is not just a road project. This is an investment that the President is doing, and this is a road that is going to last for another hundred years with no maintenance,” he said.

He praised HITEC Construction Company for its speed and capacity, noting that it can deliver up to one kilometre of road per day.

Umahi estimated the average cost per kilometre at about N7.5 billion, a figure that includes drainage, reinforced pavement, concrete works and other engineering components.

On the Sokoto‑Bagadry Super Highway, he said Section IV covering the Oyo axis spans 360 km and demonstrates the government’s resolve to spread development across all geopolitical zones.

He also highlighted the Akwanga‑Jos‑Bauchi‑Gombe‑Biu‑Maiduguri Road project, saying President Tinubu directed a switch from asphalt to concrete pavement to ensure durability.

The Federal Government will provide 30 percent counterpart funding, while 70 percent will be sourced through loans. Umahi said tolling and strategic land acquisition along the roads would guarantee long‑term returns.

The four legacy project sections signed are: Calabar‑Ebonyi‑Abuja Superhighway Section II from the Ebonyi State border through Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa states; Sokoto‑Bagadry Superhighway Section IV in Oyo State; Lagos‑Calabar Coastal Highway Section V in Akwa Ibom State; and dualisation of Akwanga‑Jos‑Bauchi‑Gombe‑Biu‑Maiduguri Road Section II in Gombe and Biu, among others.

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