NDC Describes Reinstatement of Road Tolls by Govt As Wayward

The minority in Parliament has backlashed the government for what they describe as “wayward’ decision to reintroduce the road tolls.

Addressing the press on Wednesday, June 12, the minority Chief Whip, Governs Kwame Agbodza vehemently criticised the government’s decision to reintroduce the road toll, stating that, the action of government shows a pure lack of seriousness and proper governance.

He told the press, “That is quite an captivating position by the current road minister. In fact, is it not the case that he was part of the cabinet when the decision was taken to suspend the collection of tolls and when Mr. Speaker and all of us drew the attention that, that singular action was illegal, they told Mr. Speaker to go to the toll booth to collect the toll himself if he likes. This is just a testament of a government that is wayward, lost touch and doesn’t know what they want.”

He added that, it is quite an captivating position by the current Road Minister to have the road toll reintroduce.

"In fact, is it not the case that he was part of the cabinet when the decision was taken to suspend the collection of tolls and when Mr. Speaker and all of us drew the attention that, that singular action was illegal, they told Mr. Speaker to go to the toll booth to collect the toll himself if he likes. This is just a testament of a government that is wayward, lost touch and doesn’t know what they want.”

“Cabinet decided to suspend the collection of tolls as propaganda to force E-levy down the throats of Ghanaians. We are paying E-levy today. They want to take more money from you so they are coming back to condemn each other to say that they want to collect tolls. Then the entire government is condemned. They cannot pick and choose who is upright in the government.”

The Minister of Roads and Highways announced that the government is preparing to reintroduce road toll in order to mobilise revenue to fix some deplorable roads in the country. It is recalled that, cabinet suspended the collection of road tolls due to the introduction of the E-levy effective November 2021.  

“So we wait. We have been consistently saying that there was no need to suspend the collection of tolls. So, Ghanaians can see which part of the political divide can be trusted and is consistent with policies in this country."

He added, “And obviously the NPP’s record of being straight and fair to Ghanaians has been called into question so many times.”

Kobina Darlington/