Nasarawa State House of Assembly Seeks Solution to Toll Gate Woes

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has urged Governor Abdullahi Sule to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Works to introduce toll gate tickets at designated motor parks. This move aims to alleviate the frustration caused by the automated payment system currently in use along the Abuja-Makurdi highway.

The automated payment system, implemented following a contractual agreement between the Federal Government and a Chinese company, has resulted in significant delays and inconvenience for motorists. Daniel Oga Ogazi, the member representing Kokona East constituency, highlighted the severity of the issue, citing an incident where a woman gave birth in a car while waiting in traffic.

Ogazi emphasized the need for the company to reassess and improve their payment system, describing it as “frustrating and inefficient.” Several lawmakers echoed his concerns, stressing that the prolonged delays expose passengers and motorists to security risks.

To address these concerns, the House presented several resolutions:

Toll Gate Tickets: Provide toll gate tickets at designated motor parks.
Simplified Payments: Allow payments to be made once instead of at each toll gate.
Reduced Toll Fees: Reduce toll fees.
Alternative Payment Options: Introduce alternative payment options for individuals without ATM cards.
Suspension and Review: Suspend and review the automated payment system until its effectiveness can be confirmed.

In addition to these resolutions, the House passed a bill for a second reading that seeks to establish a Climate Change Advisory Committee. This committee will be tasked with designing a framework to mitigate the impact of climate change in the state.