Ohanaeze also argued that the Federal Government (FG) will find it difficult to rationalise the decision because it will be the only toll gate in the country
By Mosope Michaels
The apex socio-cultural and political group of the Igbo, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has argued that tolling the newly opened Second Niger Bridge, will further impoverish Nigerians.
The Minister for Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, while opening the bridge said it would be tolled to enhance Federal Government’s ability to maintain it.
Reacting to the development, the Publicity Secretary of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Alex Ogbonnia, expressed dissatisfaction over the intention to toll the bridge, saying it will be a lopsided arrangement, given that no other part of the country has such in place.
Speaking to PUNCH, he further stated that it will also be unjust and unfair, since public funds were used to provide long-awaited service to the people.
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He went on to fault the proposed tolling, saying it will further impoverish the people of the country, since the security agencies are already extorting motorists and other road users at the checkpoints.
He said, “It will amount to ‘impoverishment’ to toll the bridge. Is there any other highway in Nigeria where there is a toll gate? So, this is strange. It is like imposing unnecessary taxation on the people.
“You see today, everywhere you go, you will meet one checkpoint or the other. Checkpoints are like toll gates, they collect money from people.
“These corrupt military or security personnel collecting money from the public and now the government is setting up another toll gate, all these things are a punishment to the populace.
“There is no other toll gate in any other part of Nigeria except this one that they are proposing. They won’t be able to reconcile their rationale for a toll gate. It is not proper,”
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo chieftain added that such a move would put a dent in the performance of the Mohammadu Buhari-led APC government.
