New National Tolling Policy To Be Launched In 2019…PWD’s For Toll Collection To Increase - Roads Minister
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.
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