ICRC defends toll pricing on highways

The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission has defended the toll pricing structure under the Highway Development and Management Initiative, saying charges are evaluated against the quality and benefits of the upgraded roads.

In a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Thursday, the Director-General, Dr. Jobson Ewalefoh, cited the 227-kilometre Akwanga–Makurdi road corridor as an example.

He said the route has four toll gates, and motorists pay as they travel along it.

He argued that toll payments should be viewed against the previous costs imposed by the poor condition of the road, including lost man-hours, vehicle damage and accident risks.

Feedback from road users, he said, shows many motorists are willing to pay tolls where they see clear improvements in road quality.

Some drivers have expressed support for similar arrangements on other major corridors if the roads are upgraded to the same standard.

“That, to me, is the beauty of a well-structured PPP,” Ewalefoh said.

He explained that negotiators carefully consider toll pricing to keep charges fair. A portion of the revenue is set aside specifically for road maintenance. Under the concession agreements, the government does not bear additional maintenance costs for the duration of the contract.

The government must repair potholes within 48 hours, and it funds major routine repairs from the dedicated toll revenue.(punch)