The Ministry of Roads and Highways is set to release a New Tolling Policy as part of efforts to address and modernize general toll collection methods on our national roads.
This was revealed on Tuesday when the Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon. Kwasi Amoako-Atta, took his turn at the Meet-The-Press series organized by the Ministry of Information.
With tolls representing the second biggest share of revenue to the Ghana Road Fund, it is expected that the launch of the National Tolling Policy would improve revenue mobilization efforts by the Ministry and curb revenue losses and leakages.
Touching on road safety, the Minister announced an improved Road Safety program at an estimated cost of US $7.22 Million; reiterating the project consists of a road accident database management system (RADMS), a Lollipop program in 500 schools, training needs assessment and other activities agreed with the National Road Safety Commission.
The Minister also announced the introduction of Labour based works in furtherance of the Government’s policy of creating more jobs and decent work to alleviate poverty; further stating if planned investments were made in the construction of feeder roads using the Labour Based Technology, there was going to be a boost in employment with about ninety workers per contractor.
He added it was going to increase access to farm inputs, markets and promote agriculture as well as bridged the vast infrastructure gap which is critical to accelerate economic growth of the country.
Issues of road safety have become topical in recent times with the National Road Safety Commission recently announcing that by June 2018, the Commission had recorded 1,212 deaths as results of road traffic accidents.
The Minister for Roads and Highways Hon. Kwasi Amoako-Attah (MP) has however averred that the number of persons with disabilities (PWD’s) manning the various tolls throughout the country will be increased as he describes their performance to be satisfactory.
“Their performance so far has been satisfactory and the Ministry is encouraged to increase the numbers as we go forward”.
From the Ministry of Information conference room, the Hon. Minister of Roads and Highways revealed that, this decision was in fulfillment of Government’s commitment of creating more jobs for the citizenry, with persons with disability inclusive.
“Mr. Chairman, in keeping with Government’s commitment, the recruitment of persons with disabilities (PWDs) for toll collection commenced on 1st July 2017 with an initial intake of Seventy four (74) persons across the country. The second intake was effected on 1st October, 2017 with recruitment of additional nineteen (19) PWDs”.
There are about 36 toll locations currently in the country. They include; Afienya, Dodowa, Ayi Mensah, Kasoa, Nsawam, Motorway, Tema Motorway, Ashiaman, Tsopoli, Aboaso, Kyeremfaso, Offinso, Kubease andTabere.
Others include, Adiembra, Bechem, Fiapre, Bamboi, Babator, Tuobodom, Buipe, Yapei,Nasia, Sawla, Moree, Assin-Praso, Dunkwa on Offin, Pwalugu, Beposo, Ankobra, Jomoro, Bonsaso, Sekyere, Kade, Adomi, Sogakope.
Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]
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honestly speaking minister for road and highways you need to delegate someone to go slap that lady there. how on earth will you be talking and insulting pple who pay for toll for it to be use to pay you. the lady in person is short, fat and dark. there was this guy at the point of collection whether the boy or who ever he is was supporting her in the act so she filt big in her shoes and was insulting this gentleman. He got furious but the police man and other road users intervene and beg the gentleman to leave. but one day she will surely meet her meter.
pls try and advice the toll collectors at the afienya toll. there's one lady there who talks to pple anyhow. if possible sack her cuz she feels she smoke so she is on top of the world. she was really insulting a gentleman yesterday just because he park to buy water and did not pay at her end after moving his car. something else would have happen if the police man was not around. she should knw that, the work there is putting food on her table. pls tell her to stop the ***barred word*** and behave well.
***barred word*** learn and stop wasting the country money