The Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Mr. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has given an indication that government has plans to reintroduce the toll booth system for collecting tax, albeit with automation.
He made this known during a youth empowerment forum held in Koforidua in the Eastern region, during a Q and A session. It might be recalled that late last year, the Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr. Kwasi Amoako Atta declared that all toll booths were to be closed down as they were not generating enough revenue for the country. He also cited long vehicular queues that drivers had to endure at various tax toll booths, and the fume emissions at such places as the reason for scrapping of that system.
The government through the Finance minister at the time proposed that the E-levying system would make up for the revenue shortfalls. But in a sudden change of idea, the government seems to want to return to the toll booth system, though in an improved way.
“We have over 39 toll booths in this country but with all the tolls they collect, what goes to government is 38 million cedis. Meanwhile in a month, Tema motorway alone, they rake in 35 million. It is good it has been closed down. How can government set up a business for individuals to enrich themselves? Good it has been closed down. What we are going to do now is automation”, Mr. Kennedy Agyapong said.
Explaining how the new system will function, he said “the automated system will take record of every car that passes through so the government knows how many cars drove through so that the private operator and the government’s calculations will be based on the number of cars recorded”.
He ended by saying some Ghanaians were “naturally born bad” and had enriched themselves by preying on the old system.
What do you think of this development? Please follow and let us know in the comment section.
Discussion about this post