By Michael Foli Jackidy
Ho (V/R), Sept. 10, GNA – Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza, Minister for Roads and Highways, has called for a policy to restrict certain categories of oversized and heavy-duty vehicles to designated mining enclaves and other controlled zones to protect public roads from excessive loading and premature deterioration.
He said roads were designed to carry specific tonnages, and it was unrealistic to expect all roads in the country to withstand every type and weight of vehicle.
Mr Agbodza made the call at the opening of the Transport Sector Review Conference in Ho.
He noted that the continued reliance on axle-load enforcement alone had not adequately addressed the challenge of overloading, stressing the need for a more decisive policy intervention.
“We must make a decision as to whether some of the sizes of vehicles we see on our public roads should not be restricted to only mining enclaves and not on public roads,” he said.
The Minister explained that any exceptions to such a policy would have to be carefully managed, with the movement of those vehicles properly supervised to their destinations instead of allowing unrestricted use of public roads.
Touching on road financing, Mr Agbodza said the Government was taking steps to modernise revenue mobilisation through technology following Parliament’s approval of a 20-year Public-Private Partnership (PPP) concession in July this year.
He said the Government would introduce a multi-lane free-flow electronic tolling system on selected improved roads, particularly those that had received significant investment and upgrades.
Mr Agbodza said the proposed Accra-Kumasi Expressway would have a dedicated tolling regime and serve as an alternative route for motorists.
He said motorists who opted to pay the toll would enjoy shorter travel times, while those who preferred not to pay could continue using the existing road network.
“We are providing alternatives. We do not expect any demonstrations that the Accra-Kumasi Expressway is charging 20 dollars. You are not compelled to use it,” he said.
Mr Agbodza explained that revenue generated from the expressway would support its operations and maintenance and facilitate future expansion, including a proposed extension from Kumasi to Tamale.
The Minister also announced that contractors had returned to some sections of the existing Accra-Kumasi bypass projects and expressed optimism that all contractors would be back on site within the coming weeks to complete the remaining works.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Lydia Kukua Asamoah