Motorists lament multiple toll points on Abuja-Makurdi Expressway

Motorists using the newly dualised Abuja-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Expressway have expressed dissatisfaction over the multiple toll points along the 227-kilometre route.

While commending the quality of the road constructed by the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), road users lamented the financial burden posed by the toll gates.

The Guardian learnt that CHEC, which carried out the project, is owed $460.8 million by the Federal Government. The loan for the project was financed by the China Exim Bank.

Speaking in Makurdi, Terfa, a commercial driver, complained that the four toll gates on the Makurdi-Abuja stretch significantly reduce their earnings, despite no increase in transport fares.

David, a driver with the Benue State-owned transport company, Benue Links, revealed that he pays N500 at each toll gate, amounting to N2,000 per trip and N4,000 for a return trip.

He lamented that the company neither reimburses them nor provides allowances for the additional expenses.

Many motorists called on the Federal Government to reduce the toll points to one or two, suggesting that receipts should be used at subsequent gates to alleviate the financial strain on road users.