The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has urged the Federal Government to suspend toll collection at multiple points along the Keffi–Lafia–Makurdi highway, warning that the charges could increase transportation expenses, drive up food prices and deepen the economic difficulties facing Nigerians.

The association made the demand in a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, describing the tolling arrangement as an additional burden on motorists, transport operators, farmers, traders and businesses already grappling with high fuel costs and rising operating expenses.

HURIWA called on President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Works to halt the collections pending an independent assessment of the tolling policy, the condition of the highway and the payment structure.

According to the association, the Federal Government introduced toll operations on February 4, 2025, along the 227.2-kilometre Abuja–Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi highway, with four major toll locations covering Garaku, Akwanga, Lafia and Makurdi.

Under the approved tariff, saloon cars are charged N500 at each toll point, while SUVs and jeeps pay N800. Minibuses and light buses attract N1,000, whereas trucks, buses and multi-axle vehicles are charged N1,600.

The association calculated that a saloon car travelling through all four toll locations could incur N2,000 in charges for a single journey and N4,000 for a return trip, assuming payments are collected at every plaza in both directions.

It noted that commercial transport operators and heavy-duty vehicle owners could face considerably higher cumulative costs, which would likely be transferred to passengers and consumers through increased fares and prices of goods and services.

HURIWA expressed particular concern about the potential impact on food affordability, noting that the highway connects agricultural communities, markets and distribution centres across Nasarawa and Benue states, both major food-producing areas in the North-Central region.

It argued that additional charges could increase the cost of moving agricultural produce from farms to markets and distribution centres nationwide, placing further pressure on farmers, wholesalers, produce merchants and small-scale traders operating on limited profit margins.

Beyond the financial implications, the association raised concerns about the structural condition of the highway, citing complaints from road users over deteriorating road surfaces, damaged sections and allegedly substandard culverts and drainage systems.

It claimed that some portions of the road reportedly began showing signs of deterioration before toll collection started, while certain drainage structures developed faults within the first year of operation, leaving sections of the highway inaccessible for weeks.

The rights group said the allegations, if established, warranted an examination of the project’s construction standards, supervision, contractual obligations and maintenance arrangements.

It maintained that motorists should not be subjected to repeated toll payments for infrastructure whose quality, durability and maintenance standards have been called into question.