Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has disclosed that agitating traders who ply their wares along toll booths across the country have legitimate right in complaining they weren’t given enough time to put themselves in order prior to the implementation of road tolls cancellation by government.
The Energy minister speaking on directive for traders and toll workers to vacate their various premises, he averred that they should have been given some time to relocate.
“The women have a point. I won’t run away from that. Maybe on second thought, we should have given them time or some notification”.
Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh
The Energy Minister was of the view that since the directive will be effective starting from 1st January, 2022, there was no need to have moved ahead with this decision.
“Even if you are not going to notify them, we should have said that the road tolls scrapping should have started from 1st January, 2022. Once he is hawking and thinks he has to be consulted, yes he has the right to be consulted”.
Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh
His comments come on the back of complaints by some of traders who are suggesting that the government rushed in the implementation directive. This, according to them, will negatively affecting their businesses.
Tolls haven’t been collected efficiently
Justifying government’s reason for cancelling road toll collection, Dr. Opoku Prempeh averred that the tolls have not been efficiently collected and agreed with the explanation given by the finance minister that the toll booth is causing pollution.
Speaking on the presence of the toll booth structures, he stated that those that need to be demolished will be demolished by government. He added that those that can provide extra service, like structures for easing of human nature functions, will be done in those toll booths in the particular areas.
On the reassignment of the toll workers, Dr. Opoku Prempeh noted that the Road Minister will come out at the appropriate time to inform the personnel involved.
Scrapping of road tolls
The Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta yesterday, November, 17, 2021 announced in the budget statement an end to the collection of the tolls adding that the toll collection personnel will be reassigned.
The finance minister presenting the 2022 budget statement and economic policy before Parliament stated that the tolls have been removed due to inconveniences caused by the toll booths, adding that the government has observed that the toll booths are doing more harm than good.
Shortly after this announcement, the Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako Atta directed that collection of the tolls must stop by today, Thursday November 18, 2021.
A statement he issued directed the cessation of collection of road and bridge tolls at all locations nationwide. He further disclosed that the Motor traffic and transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service will be on hand to provide security at the toll locations from the effected date.
The Minister advised motorists to approach the locations with caution and observe all safety measures that will be put in place, adding that, the motoring public will be advised on further measures in due course.
