By Vincent Agandaa, GNA
Kinampo, (Bono East), June 17, GNA – Mr Seidu Sulemana, the Chairman of the Kintampo Municipal branch of the Ghana Private Roads Transport Union (GPRTU) has called for the reintroduction of the toll booth system in the country.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Kintampo in the Bono East Region, he said the system was required urgently for the nation to generate a dedicated revenue to reshape the deplorable condition of some major highways.
Mr Sulemana said the deteriorating condition of some of the highways, especially the Kintampo-Tamale highway, was contributing to rise in road crashes and the needless fatalities on that particular stretch.
He emphasised that the GPRTU and other sister-transport unions were ready for the reintroduction of the toll booth system, worrying that the frequent road crashes on the Tamale-Kintampo highway were causing the nation dearly.
Mr Sulemana noted that the Ministry of Roads and Highways required additional and dedicated funds for road maintenance and to improve the presently bad conditions of roads for infrastructure to save lives and properties.
He also bemoaned what he described as the frequent fuel price increments without the corresponding adjustment in transport fares.
“In fact, drivers bear the cost because there is often no consultation before fuel price goes up in the country”, he stated.
Mr Sulemana said the rise in the price of spare parts remained another daunting challenge confronting the transport sector and called on the government to regulate the price of spare parts for the benefit of dealers and buyers.
He said the branch operated six inter-city lorry stations comprising Sunyani, Tamale, Techiman, Bupei, Yendi and Kumasi and commended the commercial drivers using those routes for their cooperation amid emerging challenges in the transport sector.
GNA
Edited by Dennis Peprah/Kenneth Odeng Adade