The Roads and Highways Minister-designate, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has revealed that road tolls will be reinstated in a new, technological form, eliminating the need for physical barriers on the roads.
He made this disclosure on Monday, January 20, during his vetting by the Appointments Committee.
Mr. Agbodza’s announcement marks a significant shift from the previous toll collection system, which involved obstructions on the road and manual payment collection by toll attendants.
In his statement, Agbodza expressed his concern over the government’s decision to cancel road tolls previously, highlighting the potential loss of revenue and the negative impact on road infrastructure development.
“We decided to caution the government not to cancel road tolls but to find a way to improve the system,” he explained.
According to Agbodza, the previous system had its flaws, particularly in preventing leakages, and could have been enhanced rather than dismantled.
Agbodza criticized the manner in which the toll system was cancelled, describing it as an act of “illegality,” noting that the decision was made unilaterally, without proper consultation or consideration.
He referred to the previous government’s claim that tolls were only accruing ¢80 million, which, he argued, was misleading, especially when road contractors across the country are still owed substantial amounts.
He pointed out that road contractors are currently owed up to GH¢5,000, a significant sum that demonstrates the financial mismanagement and neglect surrounding the previous toll collection system.
The new system, according to Agbodza, will focus on leveraging technology to improve toll collection efficiency and eliminate the need for physical barriers that slow down traffic.
By using modern methods and technological solutions, road tolls will be easier to collect and will likely improve the overall road maintenance and development process.
Mr. Agbodza assured that the new system would be fair and efficient, addressing the concerns of both road users and contractors while ensuring that road infrastructure projects receive the necessary funding.
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