The Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry has urged the government to consider extending the road tax obligation to other parts of the country in order to rake in more revenue and benefit the Fund and the State.
According to them, in as much as the Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry supports the reintroduction of Road Toll collection on some selected priority roads, they are of the opinion that the geographical areas for which tolls are collected are too not enough.
Furthermore, the GhCCI wants to reiterate that in consonance with good governance principles any expected improved payments arising out of the reintroduction of the Road Tolls and other revenue sources must ensure transparency and accountability are adhered to as anything to the contrary would not be condoned any further.
“The Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry has taken cognizance of the fact that the Road Fund has been over-loaded beyond its stated objective and as a result has caused lots of challenges to the fund and its associated players, (ie Contractors, Consultants and Suppliers, etc) who are heavily owed by Government as a result of non-payment for works done.”
“Accordingly, in as much as the Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry supports the re- introduction of the Road Toll collection on some selected priority roads, we are of the option that the geographically areas for which tolls are collected are too not enough. We therefore humbly suggest that Government consider extending the road tax obligation to other parts of the country in order to rake in more revenue and benefit the Fund and the State,” excerpts of the statement read.
In line with this, the Chamber respectfully requests the immediate publication of the disbursement of the fund for last year 2022 which is to aid cure public perception and ambiguities as well as to engender trust and transparency in future payment schedules.
Find the full statement below:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RE-INTRODUCTION OF ROAD TOLLS AND MATTERS ARISING
Last week, the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Finance announced the Reintroduction of Road Tolls-Amendment of the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) ACT, 2022, (ACT 1080).
The Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry (GhCCI) welcomes this news wholeheartedly and wishes to commend the Government for its bold decision to revisit the issue which forms an important stream of revenue mobilization no matter how small.
On hindsight, the joyful expectation of improved revenue for the roads sector will be short- lived. The reasons are simple. The Road Tolls are just one of the streams of income that flows into the Road Fund as provided for in Section 3 of the Road Fund Act as follows; “The Financial Resources of the Fund”. The monies for the Fund shall be derived from;
- Such proportion of Government Levy on Petrol, Diesel and Refined fuel oil as may be determined by the Cabinet with the approval of Parliament;
- Bridge, Ferry and Road Tolls collected by the Authority;
- Vehicle Licence and Inspection fees;
- International Transit fees, collected from foreign vehicles entering the country; [As deleted by the Road Fund (Amendment) Act, 2016 (Act 909), 2 (a)].
(DA). Moneys Borrowed and Raised on its own from Banks and any other Financial Institution, determined by the Fund in consultation with the Minister responsible for Finance, and; [As inserted by the Road Fund (Amendment) Act, 2016 (Act 909), s. 2 (b)]
At the moment the country is heavily saddled with road infrastructure deficit/poor roads networks due to the inadequate funds and this has caused a devasting economic challenges to the entire country especially commuters/transport owners to be precise. Clearly the essence of the Road Fund is not forthcoming, although, Section 2 of the Road Fund Acts clearly defines the Objects of the Road Fund as follows;
- The object of the Fund is to Finance Routine, Periodic Maintenance and Rehabilitation of Public Roads in the
- The Fund shall also be used to assist the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in the exercise of their functions relevant to Public Roads under any
The Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry has taken cognizance of the fact that the Road Fund has been over-loaded beyond its stated objective and as a result has caused lots of challenges to the fund and its associated players, (ie Contractors, Consultants and Suppliers, etc) who are heavily owed by Government as a result of non-payment for works done.
Accordingly, in as much as the Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry supports the re- introduction of the Road Toll collection on some selected priority roads, we are of the option that the geographically areas for which tolls are collected are too not enough. We therefore humbly suggest that Government consider extending the road tax obligation to other parts of the country in order to rake in more revenue and benefit the Fund and the State.
Furthermore, the GhCCI wants to reiterate that in consonance with good governance principles any expected improved payments arising out of the reintroduction of the Road Tolls and other revenue sources must be ensure transparency and accountability are adhered to as anything to the contrary would not be condoned any further. The law requires this as stated in Section 1, Clause 2 and Section 6, Clause 2(f) of the Road Fund Act, 1997 respectively, “The Fund is a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal, may sue and be sued and shall have in all respects the powers of a body corporate. [As substituted by the Road Fund (Amendment) Act, 2016 (Act 909), and the Fund Management Board Shall Prepare and Publish Procedures for the Disbursement of the Fund”.
In line with this, the Chamber respectfully requests the immediate publication of the disbursement of the fund for last year 2022 which is to aid cure public perception and ambiguities as well as to engender trust and transparency in future payment schedules.
May God Continues to Bless Our Homeland Ghana and Makes Us Strong!!! Thanks
By: Ernestina Afake | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
