In line with the government’s decision to abolish payment of road and bridge tolls across the country, Ghanaians have lamented over such acts saying that the “Agyenkwa Budget” won’t save them and do not meet their expectation in any way.
A cross-section of Ghanaians during a one-on-one interaction with Joy Daddy multimedia (Bryt FM) after the budget was delivered, stressed that the most important expectation needed to be addressed by the finance minister was on fuel deduction but not road toll abolish.
One driver explained that users of toll roads are not more and do not exceed town running drivers so there’s no relevance in such decision and even though those who pay for toll road have not benefitted from any meaningful projects from it since its established.
“Why was the toll abolished? Instead of concentrating on the suffering of Ghanaians and reducing the prices of fuel, you are taking off tolls. This decision to abolish tolls won’t have any effect on the citizens because the effect of fuel increase on Ghanaians can’t be compared to taking off toll fees. Anytime there’s fuel increment, prices of goods and services also increase which affects many lives of the citizenry. What does road toll abolish has to do with drivers? Will, it saves them from fuel increment? they quizzed.
One trader, Alhaji a foodstuff seller, indicated that the rising price of fuel has entered uncharted territory, with serious economic ramifications for consumers, businesses and the economy which has become a burden to them since consumers are not buying even as Christmas is approaching.
The food value chains, including production, processing and transportation, are affected, which means the prices of related goods and services are directly or indirectly affected by fuel increment each and every day.
“Most of the youth are unemployed and at the same time many poor households are heavily dependent on paraffin, which means fuel increasing directly raise their cost of living so there should be fuel deduction,” he added.
It was stated in the budget that Ghanaians are living comfortably through the initiatives of the government yet I’m not experiencing any good thing,” he added.
Sources: Mybrytfmonline/Abba Kwegyirba Aggrey
