Drivers Hail Toll Gates Re-Introduction

As controversy continues to trail Federal Government’s proposal to reintroduce toll gates on our highways, inter-state commercial vehicle drivers have supported the idea, saying that it is a welcomed development.

The Tide correspondent who went round some major motor parks in Port Harcourt reports that most drivers expressed joy over the government move aimed at maintaining traffic order on the road.

A transporter and chairman cordinator, Niger Delta Transport and Investment Co-operative, Prince Emmanuel Ogba said that before the take-off of the project, government should ensure that rehabilitation work is carried out on the roads since it is going to generate revenue to the government.

Prince Ogba lauded the move and said it would minimise crime and carnage on the road if government install highway lights, adding that it is a good development.

A driver with Chisco Services Anthony Onwankpa,  said he has no problem with the re-introduction provided government would use sincere and trusted people to manage the project, so that it will not be like the previous ones. He said government should use the type of toll gates at Lekki – Okpe Road in Lagos, as it opens and closes by itself after a vehicle had passed.

In his remarks,  a driver who plies Port Harcourt-Bayelsa route Elegbede Adeniyi, said he is in full support of such project, but that the Federal Government should ensure that it maintains the highways for hitch free transportation system.

A transporter, Azeez Ayo suggested that government should instal computerised sets to monitor the vehicles in order to recover stolen vehicles, stressing that the idea is okay provided government would repair the roads.

Another driver on Port Harcourt-Aba route Sir Peace Eze, said the plan by government on the re-introduction of toll gate is good as it would send most policemen on the road who extol money from drivers to go back to the stations. He lamented that there are over 38 check points from Aba to Port Harcourt and both the JTF, Federal Highway patrol and police collect over N900 from drivers per trip, pointing out that with the toll gates, such acts would be reduced.

A driver with Chisco Transport Company, Mr Aimiose Friday said the move would help reduce youth unemployment and crime in the society and that government should ensure that money accruing from the gate were well utilised to construct good road network for the interest of all road users.

However, the re-introduction of toll gates on our roads is welcomed  by all.

Collins Barasimeye