By Joshua Phillips
The Minister of Works has assured motorists plying the completed Abuja–Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi Dualisation Project that hiccups and bottlenecks experienced at the e-collection of toll will be addressed urgently.
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A statement by the Director Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Works, Mr Mohammed Ahmed in Abuja, says Senator Umahi gave the assurance when he paid a visit to the Garaku Toll Gate Plaza in Nasarawa State following outcries from commuters plying the route over the slow pace of the toll operation.
It adds that Senator Umahi expresses displeasure over how the tolls are being collected, stating that it is subjecting motorists to undue hardship and directed the concessionaire, China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company to immediately increase the number of collection points and deploy more Point-of-Sale devices as well as relief stations for public pleasure and convenience.
The statement assures road users of smoother passage at the Toll Plaza, promised to revisit the site on Monday next week to assess compliance with his directives.
It cautions the operators that failure to comply with this requirement will result in the loss of their business.
According to the statement, Senator Umahi frowns at the slow progress of the remaining works on the Abuja–Keffi section of the road and issued a 14 day Notice of termination of contract to the contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company due to unsatisfactory performance and waste of time.
It insists that mobilization funds already disbursed would not be subjected to any review, reiterating that contractors must be held accountable for delays resulting in cost escalations.
The statement promises that the road median will be reconfigured and equipped with solar-powered lights to enhance visibility and safety in the road corridor.
