In what is regarded as yet another highly unpopular move since it took office approximately 15 months ago, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government has sanctioned new tolls for users of the roads in Linden at specified locations.
It was reported in the media earlier this week that the government, through its Communities Minister, has approved payment of 18 different categories of tolls to be paid to the Linden Town Council (LTC) for the use of its roads. The tolls, ranging between 00 and 00, were approved by Minister Ronald Bulkan, bringing into effect the Linden Town Council (Toll) By-Laws 2016, making the collection of tolls from vehicles traversing the roads into a statute.
The move stems from an earlier resolution of the LTC to impose the tolls to be charged at specified locations. The by-laws, as set out, caters for cars, minibuses, canters traversing the road with goods for sale, in addition to those laden with fuel and lumber.
It should also be mentioned that the by-laws not only impose the need for the payment of the tolls, but create offences should this new regime be breached.
According to the by-laws, in addition to the penalties imposed for refusing to pay, “the toll collector, in the event that a toll demanded is not honoured, may impound the vehicle and release the vehicle after the sum has been paid in full.”
From the onset, we wish to state clearly that there is nothing wrong with the authorities charging tolls for use of its roads in Linden; the real issue lies with the manner in which the fees are imposed on individuals.
In fact one is forced to question the rationale behind such a decision, considering the difficult economic times both businesses and individuals are facing.
Already citizens are crying out that they are facing very tough times and are finding it very difficult to meet their needs based on their current incomes. Businesses are also complaining that sales have decreased tremendously and they are not making the kind of profits they are accustomed to.
Certainly the imposition of such tolls would result in more economic hardships for citizens of the mining town and its surrounding environs. Businesses will be forced to increase their prices for goods since new tolls would result in increased transportation costs to take commodities in and out of the town, public transportation costs would go up and more than likely there would be a decrease in traffic into the town as persons would want to avoid paying the sums required to use the roads.
The Administration is now famous for proceeding with certain policy decisions without meaningfully engaging the citizens who are most likely to be affected by such decisions.
Recently, the government buckled under public pressure to put on hold its decision to relocate the Walter Roth Museum. After widespread condemnation from many corners including the political opposition, it is now saying that it would consult with the various stakeholders before a definitive decision is made on the matter.
This is the sort of approach that should have been taken in the first place. More particularly, this is the type of governance which was promised on the campaign trail for the 2015 elections.
Any government that is serious about practicing democratic and inclusive governance will, as a matter of norm, seek to engage citizens first, especially when such decisions directly affect their livelihoods. For example, citizens should have been consulted on the sums proposed.
We reported a few days back that the information regarding the new tolls has since been officially gazetted. However, it is still not too late to engage the various stakeholders likely to be affected by the imposition of the tolls.
That said, we believe that this is yet another of the many counterproductive policies of the Government which would result in additional suffering for many; and it would be a welcome move if a decision is made to relook at the entire situation.
