Lecturer at the Koforidua Technical University Dr. Samuel Kwabena Ayittah says the decision to reinstate toll booths is a good decision as the country lost hude sum of money the time it was abolished.
Speaking on Ahotor 92.3 Fm’s Midday News, Dr. Ayittah said the decision to abolish it wasn’t right so if the government has had a change of mind, then it is a wise move.
In November 2021, the Finance Minister announced the cessation of the collection of road toll, subject to the approval of Parliament, during the presentation of the budget.
He cited congestion and traffic jams at the toll booths as justification for the decision.
Before Parliament could deliberate on the proposal by Mr. Ofori-Atta, the Roads and Highways Minister, Mr. Kwasi Amoako-Attah issued a press release to cancel the collection of road toll.
The then Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu rejected the cancellation of the toll collection.
He predicted that government will at some point reintroduce the levy.
A year and a half later, Mr Iddrisu’s prediction has become reality.
In a memo sighted by Ahotoronline.com, the proposal is for a composite average of 88.05 per cent increase across board.
Heavy buses, for instance, would pay GH¢2.00, cars will pay GH¢1.00 instead of the previous GHp50, motor bike- GH¢0.50 instead of GH¢0.10 and Pick-up/4*4 vehicles – GH¢1.50 instead of GH¢1.00.
Defending the government’s decision to reintroduce road toll, Deputy Roads Minister Stephen Jalulah said it is because the E-levy is not raking in the needed revenue.
But Dr. Samuel Kwabena Ayittah believes the decision to bring back the road toll is not bad because it can help ease the pressure on the economy.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh (#RomeoWrites) / Ahotoronline.com
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