Legon road tolls suspended

• Posted on February 21, 2014
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Authorities of the University of Ghana have suspended collection of tolls from motorists who ply their roads.

This follows a directive from government and a promise to pay an amount of $2.3 million the university had contracted for infrastructural projects.

The University’s decision to toll motorists generated a lot of public outcry and condemnation by the general public. The university had explained, the tolls will help it pay for a loan of $2.3 million it had contracted for infrastructural projects.

Subsequently, private car owners were charged Gh¢1 while commercial vehicles as well as trucks were made to pay Gh¢2 and Gh¢3 respectively.

On Monday night, National Security Coordinator, Larry Gbevlo-Lartey (retired), ordered the demolition of one of the toll booths being put up by the authorities at the Okponglo entry to the campus. Col. Gbevlo-Lartey justified the action on grounds that the uncompleted structure was inappropriately sited.

Mr Gbevlo-Lartey said the location of the booth was a threat to human security and created vehicular congestion.

Unhappy with the development, the Academic Board of the University of Ghana, the second highest decision making body of the university on Thursday directed management to take legal action against the National Security Coordinator.

At a news briefing Friday, Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. Ernest Aryeetey announced the suspension of the tolling policy with immediate effect.

-joynews