The Ogun State Government says the commencement of tolling operations on the 14.7km Epe-Mojoda-Ijebu-Ode Expressway would commence on March 24.

The Director-General, Office of the Public-Private Partnerships, Hon. Dapo Oduwole, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the purpose of tolling is for sustainable road maintenance, efficient operations, as well as enhanced road safety.

He said the governor considered the expressway as a strategic corridor for economic activities between Lagos and Ogun State; hence, the urgency for its completion.

Oduwole further stated that road users can comfortably ply the road without hindrance of any form, as necessary amenities were provided to make it 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.” (Channels TV)