The Federal Government has said it would adopt motorist-friendly platforms, such as phones, smart cards and electronic cards on windscreen for toll payments.
According to Mr. Chukwunwike Uzo, director of highways, planning and development, Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, the idea was to make toll payment easy and reduce cash payment at toll gates.
He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the use of cash would not be totally eliminated, but would be reduced to the barest minimum to ensure that motorists are not delayed at toll gates.
The director, however, said the toll gates would run as businesses to create employment for Nigerians.
Said he: “We are evaluating, studying and trying to map out all the facilities we need to put in those areas where we had toll plazas in the past.
“We are not looking at it only as toll plazas, but as a business venture, so that we can create employment for Nigerians.
“We want to set up facilities like mechanic workshops, restaurants, rest rooms and little motels to create employment for people living around the toll gates.”
Uzo said the facilities would provide a safe environment for travellers to fuel and stretch their legs before continuing their journeys, emphasising that the reintroduction of toll gates was a government policy that would be implemented on completed sections of federal roads.
“That is why we are monitoring road contractors, because government does not want to put toll gates on roads that are not in good condition,” he said.