Lagos-Calabar coastal project: Expert advocates staggered tolls

The president of the Institute of Physical Assets and Infrastructure Management (IPAIM), Dr McCarthy Ijiebor, has advised the federal government to adopt a staggered toll system to mitigate the likely economic impact on some low-income earning villagers.

He made the call considering criticisms over the issue of tolls on the proposed Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway,

Ijiebor, who was speaking during a media parley, stated that siting tolls within major cities on the highway was a good idea as the road users on those axes would not be entrapped in the tolls and would have no qualms paying.

“If you are crossing from one major city to another, it is okay. However, certain places should be completely avoided as the people within those areas might not be able to pay tolls as a result of their living conditions. We could implement staggered tolls to ease the burden on low-income road users.

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“There is also the need to consider alternative routes to minimise displacement and fair compensation for affected communities. A balanced approach will ensure the project benefits the nation without undue burden on citizens. We must also consider the project’s environmental impact and ensure it’s designed with sustainability in mind,” he explained.

While acknowledging efforts at managing the country’s physical assets and infrastructure, the IPAIM president maintained that some loopholes existed. These, he noted, include inadequate maintenance, insufficient funding, and lack of standardised practices.

“As an institution, we aim to address these gaps through training, research, and advocacy for best practices in asset management, such as adopting ISO 55001 standards,” he added.

On abandoned projects and white elephants projects in the country, he proposed community involvement in project planning to ensure local needs are met; public-private partnership (to leverage resources and expertise); and transparent project reporting to track progress.

“Also, we recommend regular project audits and penalties for non-completion to ensure accountability. By taking these steps, we can minimise the occurrence of abandoned projects and ensure public funds are utilised effectively,” Ijiebor said.