By: Eric .K. Amponsah and Collins Boateng
Some drivers have taken advantage of the increament in the road tolls to increase transport fares.
A visit by the Times to the tolls at the Mallam-Kasoa road revealed that commercial drivers plying the Kasoa to Kaneshie road who previously charged 50p are now charging GH¢1.
Speaking to some of the drivers who ply the Kasoa- Kaneshie road said they were never informed of any increase; all that heard was when they got to the toll center this morning only to be told that there has been an increament and that they need pay before allowed to cross the road.
“We the “TroTro” drivers used to pay 8p, but now we are paying GH¢1, the private vehicles used to pay 5p but are now paying GH¢50, whislt Tipper trucks who used to pay 40p are now paying GH¢2 unfair” said one of the drivers.
They appealed to the government to do something about it, and that the toll fare is too expensive for them to bare, especially the TroTro drivers who ply from Kasoa to Kaneshie and beyond.
Mr.Derick Oteng a toll collector at the Kasoa-Mallam road toll center told Times that they the workers were not informed about the new exercise and that they saw it in papers, and that it was later that the authorities informed them when they inquire from them.
According to him the government should deploy more police officials to the center to prevent more traffic jam and mayhem that may arise as the exercise continues.
Mr. Thomas Hammond, the toll supervisor at the Kasoa- Mallam road said the decision of increament came from above and that that there is nothing the workers at the toll can do, “Though its very painful it has been from part of the toll amendment act of the 1992 constitution and that there nothing any one can do” he noted.
He pleaded with the public and the drivers to understand and cooperate so they can help build a better Ghana.
