Civil Engineer, Ing Abdulai Mahama, has intimated that there is a possibility of a reintroduction of toll levies in the next year or two.
According to him, toll levies are a legitimate source of income for the nation and as such, there is a possibility the nation will come back to use the tollbooths to collect toll levies.
” This will be done by this government or the next one, but it will happen in the near future.”
Ing Abdulai Mahama
Ing Abdulai Mahama noted that most drivers have called for the return of road tolls.
“They say if it comes back revised they will pay. Tollbooths are going to come back in operation and this is a prophesy, so we should stop the discussion of converting the tollbooths into washrooms. The discussion is a non-starter and the government shouldn’t even consider that.”
Ing Abdulai Mahama
Ing Mahama pointed out that the Roads Minister hinted at the last townhall meeting on the likelihood of the re-introduction of road tolls as the decision he made on November 18 still remains unpopular.
“The well-designed road tolls are in good conditions and are safe for use. We don’t need to destroy them because they will be used in the near future. If it is not this year, then will go back to collecting road tolls next year and this is much more legitimate than the e-levy.”
Ing Abdulai Mahama
Scrapping of toll levy
The Ministry of Roads and Highways directed the discontinuation of the collection of tolls on all public roads and bridges across the country from Thursday, November 18, 2021. The directive followed the announcement by the Finance Ministry of the scrapping of tolls on all public roads.
The directive from the sector minister caused the immediate cessation of tolls even before the budget was approved by Parliament, an act many, including the minority in Parliament described as unlawful.
Not long after this, the Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Attah, hinted at government’s plan to convert all abandoned tollbooths into decent washrooms for use by motorists.
Although the suggestion hasn’t been approved, he indicated that it’s a suggestion worth considering. This, however, has been criticized with questions raised as to how such an idea will be carried out.
Former Member of Parliament for Tamale Central constituency, Inusah Fuseini, commenting on the minister’s suggestion stated that he rejects the plan to covert tollbooths into washrooms. He believes that such a move will have dire consequences on the nation.
“It doesn’t make sense for somebody to park his car on the shoulder of the road and get to the middle of the road just to access the washroom. At what point did government give approval for the policy? How can a minister open his mouth and make a statement that has dire consequences on the nation?”
Inusah Fuseini
Read Also: The Test Of Viability On E-levy Will Come Up At The Next Election- NPP
