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Ghanaians should expect an increment in road tolls in the coming days as the government race with time to fulfill its ‘Year of Roads’ initiative.
This is according to the Roads and Highways Minister-designate Kwasi Amoako-Attah as he insists it is one of the surest ways to improve country’s road infrastructure.
Mr Amoako-Attah made this disclosure when he appeared before the Appointment Committee in Parliament on Tuesday, February 16 stating that he will push for road tolls to go up when he is approved by House.
“If I am given the approval, it’s one of the things I am going to do immediately”, Amoako-Attah said adding: “There is going to be a proposal to increase the toll rate, and I am going to bring to this house [Parliament] for support”.
Advancing his argument, Mr Amoako-Attah said available data indicate that Ghana is the only country worldwide that Pat’s the lowest toll rate and that Ghanaians must be ready to pay more to enjoy the good roads as it is done elsewhere.
“The research that has been done in my ministry suggest that, on the average, toll rate is about a dollar. In Ghana, a dollar is close to GHS 6 but people pay GHS 50p as road toll.”
Mr. Amoako-Atta stated that, contrary to the public uproar that greeted the last increment in the road toll in the country, he is ever ready to exercise his unflinching resolve to see to the successful implementation of his proposal through parliamentary approval.
“The last time tolls were increased, there was so much hue and cry in this country. We all saw what happened in this country with drivers saying they will go on strike. Will Ghanaians be prepared to pay more for road toll as it is seen in other parts of the world. We pay the lowest rate; meanwhile, we want good roads. Ghanaians should be prepared to pay for good roads and if I am giving the opportunity, it will be done”, he noted.
Source: Daily Mail GH with files from CNR
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