Niger State Governor Calls For Re-Introduction Of Toll Gates And Weighbridges In Nigeria

The Governor of Niger State in North central Nigeria  Governor, Honourable Mohammed Umaru Bago has advocated the re-introduction of toll gates and enforcement of weight limits to avoid overloading and damaging highways in Nigeria.

Governor Umaru Bago made the call when he visited the Director General of the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP), Mamman Ahmadu in his office in Abuja.

The Governor in a statement by Bologi Ibrahim, his spokesperson noted with dismay, the continuous damage of roads by those involved in overloading trucks and articulated vehicles despite the huge resources spent by governments in fixing road infrastructures.

“Fees should be paid by road users for yearly maintenance of the roads,” Governor Bago stated.

He said he will personally inform NEC to consider having a National Policy on weighbridges considering the unregulated volume of content plying the roads in the country.

“Nigerian must resume the regime of toll gating, we cannot continue as a country to fix roads and the people who are into overloading will continue to damage our roads.”

Governor Umaru Bago said his administration is poised to change the narrative as it affects infrastructural development in Niger state.

The Governor who further disclosed that Niger state government will partner with the BPP in terms of providing a road map and training of procurement officers in the state, mentioned that  that transparent and efficient procurement practices are crucial for the growth and development of the state.

The Director General of the Bureau for Public Procurement, Mamman Ahmadu decried the poor state of road infrastructures in the state especially the Federal roads despite the state having the largest landmass in the country and more spread of Federal roads.