The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, says that certain types of vehicles should be exempted from paying tolls.
The Federal Executive Council had approved the federal roads and bridges tolling policy and regulation that will provide the legal framework for its implementation.
However, Fashola said that it was proposed and that the council approved that certain types of vehicles be exempted from paying tolls.
“Those are bicycles, pedal cycles, tricycles, motorcycles, and those modes of two or three-wheeled transport used mainly by disadvantaged members of our community.
“They will be entitled to full 100 percent exemption as we will diplomatic vehicles, military, and paramilitary vehicles,’’ he said.
The minister said that tolling would not start until the roads were made motorable
“The Ministry of Works and Housing presented a policy memorandum for the approval of federal roads and bridges tolling policy and also a regulation that will provide the legal framework for the tolling policy.
“You will recall that about three years ago, you have asked severally here when roads will be tolled and I told you there is a lot of work.
“So, we have taken another step; let me be clear, tolls are not going to start tomorrow; so, let us just be clear about that; but the bid step to actual tolling was taken today by presenting for approval the broad policy that would guide tolling.
“So, those local people, states, local governments, all those who manage roads, investors who want to come in, will know what our tolling policy is.
“And that will form the basis of their financial modeling, their investments decision.
“When will they start? Tolls will not start until the roads are motorable; there will be agreements that have to be in place; negotiated with the government through the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission.’’
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