Road tolls fetch Gh¢49m

The Ministry of Roads and Highways last year generated an amount of Gh¢49.06 million from 35 toll stations and a ferry station at Ada.

The Ministry, as at the end of June 2014, had collectecd Gh¢ 27.8 million at 38 stations, including the Ada and Senchi Ferry stations.

Alhaji Inusah Fuseni, Minister of Roads and Transport, who made this known at a the meet-the-press encounter in Accra yesterday, said spe­cialized prepaid toll stickers for one month, three months and one-year were being sold for use on specific roads.

Alhaji Fuseni said specialized toll stickers were also being issued upon the request of motorists, adding that plans were underway to produce E- cards for sale to motorists.

He said the Ministry had com­menced the preparatory arrangement (PPP) model for the financing, con­struction and management of road infrastructure.

Alhaji Fuseni said Accra-Takoradi road, Accra-Kumasi (dualization) road, Accra-Tema motorway were cur­rently being considered for the PPP project.

He said the PPP arrangement for the financing, design and construction of an overpass on the motorway ai Teshie Link was on-going, stating the preliminary designs had been  completed.

Alhaji Fuseni said the project is expected to be completed in 24 months after the completion of negotiations on the financial arrangement.

He revealed that the China Devel­opment Bank would commit about $234 million to complete the La beach road (Accra-Tema) project and the Accra Intelligent Management Traffic System.

The Minister said the contract had been signed and the Ministry of Finance was awaiting the approval of the subsidiary agreement by the CDB.

He said, “Financing of both main­tenance and development activities remains a challenge to the sector con­sidering the fact that there is an inade­quate fund to meet all road mainte­nance needs, and several development projects have stalled due to inadequate matching funds or unavailable funds for the sector’s activities.” 

In order to sustain a desirable funding base for the sector’s activities, Alhaji Fuseni said the sector would pursue various programmes, includ­ing PPP initiatives for road infrastruc­ture development, negotiate for an increase in sector revenue component of the fuel levy and apply user-charg­ing principles to road users.