The Ministry of Roads and Highways has clarified an earlier comment made by the sector Minister Kwasi Amoako Atta to the effect that all the abandoned tollbooths are going to be converted into washrooms.
In clarifying this comment, the Ministry in a statement on Wednesday February 16 said “The essence is that these facilities can be modelled into Police posts, first aid/ emergency centres, towing service centres, ambulance centres and other ancillary centres.
“This provides the opportunity to re-engage the toll workers and other backroom staff , thereby providing further employment for our youth.
“These facilities would be incorporated into the Ministry’s programmes to dualize the major highways in the country such as Accra-Kumasi road, , the Accra-Takoradi road and Tema-Aflao road.”
Mr Amoako-Atta had disclosed that tollbooths across the country would used to serve another public purpose since the collection of road tolls has been abolished by the government.
Government in its 2022 Budget removed scrapped the collection of tolls across the country. A directive from the sector minister caused the immediate cessation of tolls even before the budget was approved by Parliament, an act many, including the minority in Parliament described as unlawful.
The tollbooths, since the abolishing of the tolls, have been abandoned. This raised concerns in many quarters, with the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) urging the government to demolish the structures for the sake of road safety. But it does appear the government has different plans for the abandoned structures.See also Appeal made for churches, schools to accommodate surviving victims of Bogoso explosion
Mr. Amoako-Attah revealed the tollbooth will be used for public urinals.
“We even want to refurbish all tollbooth structures to provide proper and decent washrooms for the use by motorists so that we advised them to desist from that practice where sometimes you see cars stopping on the highway and people getting down to wee-wee as we usually see”, he said.
He later said on the floor of the House that he was misquoted.
By Laud Nartey|3news.com|Ghana
