Kwasi Amoako-Atta, the Minister of Roads and Highways, has stated that if the controversial Electronic Transfer Levy is passed, the government will utilize it to seek loans for road infrastructure in the country.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Friday, the Minister hinted for the first time that the E-Levy might be securitized for loans to address road-related difficulties.
“In its wisdom, the administration has suggested the passage of the E-levy to bring in additional cash to build our country’s transportation infrastructure for all of us.” “As a result, the government is anticipating the passage of the E-levy, which will bring in more money that will be securitized and then used to finance bonds, if possible, to expand road infrastructure,” he said.
The Minister also stated that the state has not lost money as a result of the removal of road tolls.
“Across the country, there are a total of 38 toll stations. Since the stoppage of road toll collection, the Ministry of Roads and Highways has not lost any revenue,” he revealed.
“The administration is absolutely resolved to utilise all types of revenue into the road fund, including toll revenues, to improve infrastructure in the country,” he said.
In response to an inquiry from Governs Kwame Agbodza, Member of Parliament for Adaklu, on the amount of money lost as a result of the directive, the Roads and Highway Minister stated that no revenue was lost.
The answer, on the other hand, did not sit well with the Ranking Member of the Roads and Transport Committee, who pressed for more information.
He stated that, contrary to what the Minister would have the House believe, the collecting of road tolls generates some revenue for the government.
