STORY: Nigeria begins cashless tolling on Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Highway
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 4, 2025
DATELINE: Feb. 6, 2025
LENGTH: 00:01:14
LOCATION: Abuja
CATEGORY: TECHNOLOGY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the inauguration ceremony
2. various of the highway
3. SOUNDBITE (English): JASON WANG, Managing director of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) in Nigeria

STORYLINE:

The Nigerian government has commenced cashless tolling operations on the newly constructed 227.2-km Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Highway, a major infrastructure project in the country's central region, funded through a preferential credit loan from the Export-Import Bank of China.
   
Nigerian Minister of State for Works Bello Goronyo described the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Makurdi project, inaugurated on Tuesday, as "significant for national development," noting that it is the first among nine corridors under the Highways Development and Management Initiative Phase 1 to commence operations, with more to be launched across the country in the coming months.
   
According to Goronyo, the project, which connects the national capital of Abuja with Nasarawa and Benue states in the country's central region, aligns with Nigeria's push for sustainable infrastructure financing.
   
"Tolling concessions mark a significant step toward a more efficient and well-maintained road system. The revenue generated will be reinvested in road maintenance and expansion," he said, explaining that it is part of the federal government's commitment to building a modern transport network that drives economic growth.
   
Jason Wang, managing director of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) in Nigeria, told Xinhua that the highway project is a landmark initiative for the most populous African country, highlighting its importance to economic growth and infrastructural development.
   
SOUNDBITE (English): JASON WANG, Managing director of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) in Nigeria
"This road's fund is from the Export-Import Bank of China. And through the high standard operation and maintenance, we can guarantee in the long term, the road will remain in a good, excellent condition which will benefit all the commuters. And also in the long term, this will reduce the financial burden of the government."

Under the tolling arrangement, different categories of vehicles will be charged between 500 nairas (about 0.33 U.S. dollars) and 1,600 nairas. Certain categories, including security vehicles, ambulances, and motorcycles, are exempt, while frequent users, such as commercial light vehicles, receive a 50 percent discount.
   
With tolling operations now underway, stakeholders anticipate the development of rest points, medical facilities, and commercial hubs along the corridor, which will support the project's broader economic impact.
   
The Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Makurdi project was executed under a public-private partnership arrangement and constructed by CHEC. It is operated and maintained by the Chinese firm in cooperation with Catamaran Nigeria Limited under a 25-year concession agreement.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Abuja.
(XHTV)