Deputy Minister of Roads and Highways, Stephen Jalula has stated that the policy to road toll cancellation has not changed.
Jalula’s comment comes after the Finance Minister made an announcement that the Accra-Tema Motor way will be tolled immediately the rehabilitation and extension project is completed.
Sharing Finance Minister’s statement, Ofori-Atta;
The Government of Ghana shall provide funding through GIIF to take equity in the Special Purpose Vehicle to be created by GIIF for the project.
Deputy Minister reacted by saying any government’s decision to reintroduce road toll should first be presented before Parliament for further action.
Jalula also said that Ofori-Atta’s announcement does not apply to all roads.
My understanding is that the policy has not changed and it is not going to change under this new statement that was read. What he (Finance Minister) did say was that the Tema Motorway will be done under PPP and the road will be tolled. If subsequently, the government decides to change the policy on the road tolling, that one will come to Parliament for consideration.
Last year 2021 November, the government, through the Finance Minister, announced motorists will no longer be required to pay tolls.
Government has abolished all tolls on public roads and bridges. This takes effect immediately the Budget is approved.
This statement was made when Ken Ofori Atta was presenting the 2022 budget to Parliament.
Later, during the mid-year budget presentation on Monday, Ken Ofori-Atta announced that government will toll 27.7 kilometer Tema Motorway road project after completion.
The project will done in line with the Public Partnership Act, 2020, (Act 1039) to establish a concession agreement between the Roads and Highway Minister and the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
Ken Ofori- Atta
The completed road will be tolled to recover the whole life cost of the completed infrastructure as well as pay lenders and provide a return for equity investors.
The Government of Ghana shall provide funding through GIIF to take equity in the Special Purpose Vehicle to be created by GIIF for the project.
All new roads of this nature will be tolled.
