Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways, Stephen Jalulah has explained that the government’s policy to cancel collection of road toll remains in force.
This follows the review of the mid-year budget where the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta announced that the Accra-Tema Motorway will be tolled after the rehabilitation and extension project is completed.
Speaking in an interview, the Deputy Minister emphasized that the Finance minister’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,” he stated.
On November 17, 2021, the government revealed motorists who ply tolled roads across the country, 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,” Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta said while presenting the 2022 budget to Parliament.
The Motorway project will be done in line with the Public Private Partnership Act, 2020 (Act 1039) to establish a concession agreement between the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) and the Roads and Highway Ministry.
According to the finance minister, 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 investor.
“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,” he mentioned.
Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta further revealed that government will toll all new roads constructed under such concession agreements.
“All new roads of this nature will be tolled,” he stressed.
