Nkonkonsa Celebrity Gossip From Africa
All new roads that will be finished in the upcoming months, according to Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, will be tolled to recoup the full cost.
On Monday, July 25, 2022, the Finance Minister said that new highways that the government will build in collaboration with investors will be tolled.
He claims that the majority of these unfinished roads will be built under a public-private partnership (PPP), meaning that anyone who uses them will have to pay.
“The Government of Ghana has made a strategic decision, in line with the Public Private Partnership Act, 2020 (Act 1039) to procure the Accra-Tema Motorway and Extensions Project through GIIF with a mandate to deliver a Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund-led PPP financing solution, where maximum funds are raised from the market,” the Minister explained.
The tolls will also be used to pay contractors and offer equity for investors, Mr. Ofori-Atta said without holding back.
Road tolls were eliminated by the government in the 2022 budget proposal. The decision was made as a result of excessive traffic, large markets, and pollution near the toll booths, the Finance Minister informed Parliament at the time.
“… over the years, the tolling points have become unhealthy market centres, led to heavy traffic on our roads, lengthened travel time from one place to another, and impacted negatively on productivity.
“The congestion generated at the tolling points, besides creating these inconveniences, also leads to pollution in and around those vicinities.
“To address these challenges, Government has abolished all tolls on public roads and bridges. This takes effect immediately the Budget is approved (after appropriation or now?). The toll collection personnel will be reassigned. The expected impact on productivity and reduced environmental pollution will more than off-set the revenue forgone by removing the tolls.”
Source:NKONKONSA.com
