Umahi Issues Ultimatum to Toll Operators — Orders Immediate Fix for Gridlock at Garaku Toll Plaza
Garaku, Nigeria (EPICSTORIAN) — The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has issued a stern directive to the operators of the Garaku Toll Plaza in Nasarawa State, ordering immediate improvements in toll collection processes to ease congestion and ensure a smoother traffic flow.
During an inspection visit on February 7, 2025, Umahi expressed dissatisfaction with the inefficiencies at the tollgate, where motorists have been subjected to long delays due to poor toll collection management.
He criticized the concessionaire, Messrs China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company (CHOMC), for failing to implement a seamless tolling system, warning that urgent corrective measures must be taken.
“The tollgate is not meant to have this kind of bottleneck,” Umahi stated. “The current operation is inadequate, and we are giving the concessionaire until Monday, February 10, to make the necessary improvements. If by then this bottleneck is not resolved, I will release the traffic and replace them.”
Minister Orders Immediate Reforms
As part of remedial measures, Umahi directed CHOMC to increase the number of toll collection points and deploy additional Point-of-Sale (POS) devices to expedite payment processing. He also emphasized the need for dedicated relief stations where motorists can access essential facilities.
“The government will not tolerate inefficiency that causes hardship for Nigerians,” the minister asserted. “More payment channels must be deployed immediately, and facilities must be put in place to ensure that road users are not subjected to unnecessary delays.”
Umahi further warned that failure to meet these directives would result in the revocation of the concessionaire’s operating rights.
Public Outcry Over Tollgate Delays
The newly introduced electronic toll collection system on the Keffi–Akwanga alignment of the Abuja–Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi Dualisation Project has sparked complaints from motorists who have reported excessive waiting times and operational difficulties.
Many commuters have lamented that instead of improving travel efficiency, the tolling system has worsened congestion, causing long queues and frustration among road users.
A commercial driver, Musa Ibrahim, who frequently plies the route, described the situation as unbearable. “We are spending more time at the tollgate than on the road itself. If they don’t fix this issue, it will cripple business activities,” he said.
Stronger Oversight on Road Projects
Beyond the tollgate issues, Umahi also addressed the slow pace of construction on the Abuja–Keffi section of the road project. He instructed that a 14-day termination notice be issued to Messrs China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) over its failure to meet project timelines.
“The people are suffering, and the President is deeply concerned. Contractors cannot continue to mismanage Nigeria’s resources while failing to deliver as agreed. If there is no significant improvement within 14 days, we will take over the job,” Umahi declared.
He further directed that all failed sections of the completed road alignment be reconstructed immediately and ordered the installation of solar-powered streetlights to improve visibility and safety for night travelers.
Umahi reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to delivering high-quality road infrastructure, stressing that any contractor failing to meet performance standards would face consequences.
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“The President has granted the ministry full authority to terminate any contract where political interests take precedence over performance,” he said.
