Big News for Nasarawa Commuters: The New Kwandere-Garaku Road Will Be Tolled
The Nasarawa State Government has announced a significant development for travelers: the new 65-kilometer Kwandere-Garaku Road, which is currently under construction, will have toll gates once it’s finished.
This new road is set to be a game-changer. It will create a direct link from Lafia to Keffi, cutting the journey by over 30 kilometers and drastically reducing travel time for anyone heading to Abuja. This is great news for both private car owners and commercial drivers who currently have to deal with the often-congested Lafia-Akwanga-Keffi corridor.
According to the state’s Commissioner for Works and Transportation, Mr. Mu’azu Gosho, the decision to introduce tolling is not about adding another cost but about ensuring the road stays in good condition for the long term.
Why Tolling?
The government believes that because this new route will be so much faster and more efficient, it will attract a huge amount of traffic, including heavy-duty trucks. Tolling is a way to generate the funds needed for regular and sustainable maintenance, preventing the road from falling into disrepair.
The project itself is being funded by a more than N9 billion refund from the Federal Government, following its takeover of the Lafia Cargo Airport.
A Growing Trend Across Nigeria
This move by Nasarawa State is part of a larger trend across the country. Under the current federal administration, tolling is making a comeback as a key strategy for maintaining infrastructure.
The Abuja-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Road was already tolled earlier this year to help repay a large loan.
Other major projects like the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway and the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway are also expected to have tolls in the future.
States like Ogun have already started tolling their new expressways to fund their maintenance.
This indicates a shift in how Nigeria plans to fund and manage its infrastructure. The idea is that the users of the roads will directly contribute to their upkeep, ensuring a better and safer travel experience for everyone for years to come.
This shows a shift in how Nigeria is planning to fund and manage its infrastructure. The idea is that the users of the roads will directly contribute to their upkeep, ensuring a better and safer travel experience for everyone for years to come.
The government also plans to open up more rural access roads, which will help farmers get their produce to market and support economic development in local communities. While the new road promises to transform transportation in the state, the success of the tolling system will depend on effective management, fair pricing, and clear communication with the public to ensure it benefits everyone without causing undue hardship.
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