We can’t construct more roads because you refused to pay e-levy – Minister

Roads Minister Kwesi Amoako Atta has said that the failure of Ghanaians to pay e-levy should be blamed for the few works done to improve roads in the country.

He believes that if Ghanaians were not stingy and had agreed to contribute to the e-levy, government would have had more money to pay for roads across the country.

“If all of us had contributed to the e-levy, it would have brought in a lot of money to replace the tollbooths and we would have built more roads for ourselves,” he told the media.

He indicated that over the years monies generated from tollbooths are unable to construct even 10km roads because after drawing out salaries, there is nothing left any meaningful work to be done.

Kwesi Amoako Atta indicated that tollbooths have not been abolished entirely

“The law is still there.If they have to be in the queue for four to three hours and you get there and you pay 50pesewas. Ghana was paying the lowest toll in the whole world. I challenge anybody to tell me which country which was paying tolls lower than Ghana.

We were paying the lowest toll in the whole world but we want good roads in our country. Every Ghanaians including you and myself we want good things so we must be prepared to pay for it. Tolls if they come back gradually one way or the other. It will come in a different form. We will no longer be paying the 50pessewas and 1 cedi. It will come but in different forms. If you go abroad, they pay heavy for tolls that is why they are able to build good roads,” he said.