Ogun State Government has announced that tolling operations on the 14.7km Epe-Mojoda-Ijebu-Ode Expressway are set to begin on March 24.
Gatekeepers News reports that this information was shared by Dapo Oduwole, the Director-General of the Office of Public-Private Partnerships, in a statement released on Wednesday.
The introduction of tolling is aimed at ensuring sustainable road maintenance, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing road safety.
Oduwole emphasised the importance of the expressway as a strategic corridor that facilitates economic activities between Lagos and Ogun State, which underscores the urgency for its timely completion.
In the statement, it was noted that road users can expect a smooth travel experience, as all necessary amenities have been put in place to make this expressway one of the best in the country.
“Prince Dapo Abiodun, upon assumption of office and in the course of designing an effective and efficient transport system that will boost the microeconomy of the state, discovered the economic importance of the Epe-Mojoda-Ijebu-Ode Expressway,” he stated.
“The government had opted for a public-private partnership arrangement in the management of the asset including the collection of tolls.
“The government magnanimously delayed the tolling operations on that road since 2021 to provide some relief to residents and other road users.
“Meanwhile, while considering the interests of the people, we must also take into cognizance the economic interests of the investors for us to strike a balance, hence the need to commence tolling operations on the road after about four years of using it free of any charge.
“It is pertinent to note that some road users have been exempted from this tolling obligation, these include emergency response vehicles, such as ambulances, fire service, and patrol vehicles.
“Others are government-owned security vehicles, Ogun State Government official vehicles, and any others as determined by the Ogun State Government.
“We, therefore, urge all road users to comply with these tolling regulations as enforcement measures will be implemented to the fullest without fear or favour.”
