The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to consider transferring the rehabilitation, maintenance and management of federal roads to private investors and reintroducing toll gates as part of efforts to improve road infrastructure and generate sustainable funding.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by lawmaker Esosa Iyawe and three other members of the House during Wednesday’s plenary.
The lawmakers expressed concern about the deteriorating condition of several federal highways and the limitations of relying primarily on annual budgetary allocations to finance road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance across the country.
Leading the debate, Iyawe argued that an efficient road transportation network was essential to Nigeria’s economic development, trade, agricultural productivity, industrial expansion and national security.
He and other supporters of the motion maintained that alternative financing arrangements could help reduce pressure on public finances while ensuring that roads receive more consistent maintenance.
Under the proposed approach, private investors could participate in road rehabilitation and management under arrangements that would allow them to recover investments through toll collection or other agreed mechanisms.
The lawmakers also argued that reintroducing toll gates could provide a dedicated source of revenue for maintaining highways rather than leaving road infrastructure dependent almost entirely on government budgetary releases.
However, any move towards wider private-sector participation would require clear contractual terms, transparent procurement, effective regulation and safeguards to ensure that roads remain accessible to the public.
Tolling arrangements would also need to account for the financial circumstances of commuters, commercial drivers and transport operators, particularly as Nigerians continue to face high living and operating costs.
A poorly designed system could increase the cost of transporting passengers and goods, potentially affecting food prices and the prices of other essential commodities. Conversely, a well-managed arrangement could improve road quality, reduce vehicle operating costs and strengthen travel safety over time.
The House’s resolution is a call for government action rather than confirmation that a nationwide tolling policy has been approved or implemented.
The Federal Government would need to assess the proposal’s financial, legal and practical implications before determining how private investment and toll collection could be incorporated into federal road management.