THE move by the Federal Government to re-introduce toll gates on the country's major highways clearly shows the inconsistency and policy failure that is characteristic of government. There seems to be no sustainable policy framework for governing the country. Policies are churned out on ad-hoc basis, tried and dumped, depending on the prevailing circumstances. This absence of enduring focus is partly to blame for the lack of progress in practically every aspect of our national life.The Federal Government suddenly demolished toll gates in 2004 to the chagrin of everyone. That action manifested a lack of insight. It reportedly cost a whopping N360 million to demolish the toll gates and their infrastructure that were built in the 70s when the economy was buoyant. To rebuild the toll gates now would cost more than four times what it cost decades ago. Yet, this money would have been saved had the toll gates not been destroyed.The wasteful way of running the country is lamentable, with one step forward and two steps backward. Is the return of the tollgates a step forward or backward' The Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, had the other day in Abuja, at an interactive session with the Senate Committee on Works, disclosed the plan to re-introduce toll gates with effect from 2012, ostensibly, to tackle the problem of road maintenance. He decried the decision of the Obasanjo administration to abrogate toll plazas, calling it 'a disservice to road maintenance.'Onolememen said the abrogation of toll plazas has robbed the road sector of the critical income used to maintain and rehabilitate the roads. As a result, he said his ministry is working towards getting a draft policy aimed at reinventing toll gates. If the minister's proposal sails through, the country would have turned full circle once again.The question now is which roads are going to be tolled, since the entire road network of the country has collapsed owing to lack of maintenance. The roads are in appalling condition because they were not maintained, even when the toll was being collected. In theory, toll collection would make for good road maintenance but in reality it did not. Before the toll gates were demolished, much of the funds thereby generated were not accounted for. Very little was actually spent to maintain the roads.Therefore, the first task, if government is desirous of bringing back the toll gates, is to prevent corruption, embezzlement of collected tolls, and to ensure that the proceeds are utilised for roads maintenance. Before then, however, government should carry out urgent repair of the roads to make them passable and less harrowing. That would inspire public trust necessary for the success of toll gates.Ordinarily, it is desirable to have toll gates where the road network is new, regularly maintained and in good condition. Motorists, in such situation, would appreciate what they pay for. But where toll is imposed and yet the roads are deplorable, there is bound to be disaffection. It would then be morally unjustified to operate toll gates.If past experience is anything to go by, government should consider concessioning the toll gates to private operators and have the money paid up-front, in order to encourage accountability, reduce corruption and achieve the desired objective.Besides, since toll collection is a form of taxation, there should be alternative routes for motorists, such that only those willing to pay will ply the toll routes. The choice of which route to go should be left to motorists. Provision of alternative routes is in conformity with the principle behind toll gates, and in recognition of government's basic duty to the citizen.Apart from alternative routes, the tolls to be collected should be reasonable and not unduly exploitative of the people as this will only further disenchant the average Nigerians, who are already weary and over-burdened by the harsh economy.The plight of the Nigerian is being daily aggravated by threat of oil subsidy removal, exorbitant cost of new vehicle plate number and driver's license, among other excruciating conditions. Government seems fond of tasking people unnecessarily and adding to their hardship.It is imperative for government, while re-inventing the toll gates, to improve on some of the benefits attached to the facility in the past, particularly as avenue for breaks, stop-gap, security and recreation for travellers. Government can seek to maximise the employment value of toll gates.The re-introduction of toll gates should not be a subtle means to extend patronage to party cronies. Government should be innovative in raising funds for roads maintenance, for instance, by cutting the cost of governance. In the long run, government should prioritise the development of railway as alternative and a complement to roads. That will ultimately reduce the pressure on roads and make them endure better.Every now and then, Nigerians are treated with policy somersaults that have truncated national development. Incidentally, the reasons why the toll gates were built have become more pressing.
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