Tolls collectors across Accra have gathered at the Parliament House to protest the recent closure of tollbooths on public roads and bridges nationwide.
With red bands tied around their heads, the ex-tollbooth operators express their dissatisfaction with the government's abolishment of tolls collection.
According to them, the government has eliminated their source of livelihood rendering them financially weak and incapable to cater to their families.
Speaking to Tv 3, the ex-toll collectors said it was imprudent on the part of government to bring tolls collection to cessation without pre-informing them.
Background
The Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Atta, has scrapped the collection of tolls two weeks ago.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, November 18, the Roads Ministry said the initiative would kick start at exactly midnight on Thursday.
The statement said police personnel will now occupy toll booths nationwide to ensure the directive is enforced and to also offer security.
“Motorists are kindly advised to approach the locations with caution and observe all safety measures that will be put in place,†part of the release said.
The Finance Minister had announced the discontinuity of tolls collection in Parliament on Thursday, November 18 but he said the directive would become effective immediately after Parliament approves the budget.
However, tollbooths were closed even before debates on the budget commenced and this caused a brouhaha with the Speaker of Parliament directing the Roads Minister to reverse his directive.
Today, the ex-tollbooth operators are at the Parliament House to present their grievances.
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