DA welcomes E-toll review
The Gauteng Premier, David Makhura's promise to convene a panel to review the impact of E-toll system in the province, must not become yet another talk-shop with government.
This is according to John Moodey, DA Caucus leader.
“The people of Gauteng have demonstrated their wholesale opposition to these tolls by planned boycotts and a refusal to pay.”
“As my colleague Dr Niel Cambell, DA Shadow MEC for Transport often says, ‘threats from government and Sanral have not, nor will they ever, bear fruit’,” he says.
He adds that if Makhura is serious about resolving the problem of E-tolls, there is really only one solution, and that is to re-introduce the concept of a ring fenced national fuel levy, which funds all other major road improvements across the country.
“Those who state that they are against a national fuel levy must bear in mind that Gauteng taxes support every other province in the country.
“They must realise that an effective national road network is imperative to support and grow our economy, which is almost stagnant presently.”
Moodey says that it must be understood that the paltry budget given to Sanral leaves that agency with little choice to fund road upgrades, other than tolls.
“The ring-fenced fuel levy is the most cost effective way of solving an ongoing problem and the Premier’s panel must be inclusive, open to reason and most importantly, it must bear fruit.
“It’s mandate should include means of addressing the unnecessary and questionable collection costs.” – @CarmenBoksburg
