A private legal practitioner, Egbert Faibille is questioning the legal basis underpinning a decision by authorities at the University of Ghana to charge road tolls on vehicles that use the roads within campus. The new policy which is set to begin February 1 has sent tongues wagging even before the implementation date. Joy News reporter, Kwakye Afreh Nuamah has learnt private vehicles will pay one Ghana Cedis while taxi and commercial vehicles are expected to pay two Ghana Cedis when the policy takes effect. Heavy duty trucks will also pay GHC3 Cedis. But the new policy has been widely criticized by some motorists as well as the university’s Students Representative Council. Some motorists as well as students told Joy News the toll amount is too high. They do not understand why they will pay far less on the Accra Tema Motorway and be made to pay such a high amount. Speaking to Joy News Egbert Fabille said the policy is illegal. He explained there cannot be taxes imposed on citizenry in the country except there is a parliamentary approval. He is convinced the new toll by UG is a form of taxation which has to be regularised under the law. He cited the Tolls Act of 1973, and LI 6160 portions of which said roads to be tolled are completely spelt out in the law. Roads within the University campus are not part of the tollable roads. He said the least the University can do is to approach officials of the ministry of Roads and Highways and get them to approve their policy before beginning to implement such a policy. Faibille said if the action by UG is allowed, another institution can wake up one day and also mount tolling booth on a road and begin to collect tolls. It is not a lawless country, he pointed out.
Posted on: Thu, 16 Jan 2014 21:24:52 +0000
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