PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON WORKS HOLDS STAKEHOLDER'S ENGAGEMENT ON PROPOSED TOLL FEES INCREMENT

By Abdulai Kargbo

The Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Works and Public Assets has engaged stakeholders on the proposed toll gate charges. This engagement attracted CSOs, some advocating for an increase and many agitating that the conditions stated in the agreement were not completely countenanced.

In his opening statement, the committee chairman, Hon. Bashiru Silikie, stated that the engagement aimed to ascertain the public's views and to further recommend to Parliament for reasonable decision by the general membership of parliament. He emphasized that it is essential to ensure that the public's voice is heard, adding that the committee would examine the increment proposal, look at the conditions holistically, and make recommendations that would seek the interest of Sierra Leoneans.

The stakeholders, including civil society organizations, drivers, Keke drivers’ union, and the media, provided their views and opinions on the proposed toll gate charges increment. In his statement, the Chief Executive Officer of the Native Consortium and Research Center, Edmond Abu, applauded Parliament for their intervention and urged the committee to make recommendations that seek the welfare of citizens. He presented his organization's findings that the total charges should be dropped, presenting a document that claimed that over 200 CSOs appended their signatures to the document, concluding that the increment charges should be dropped.

The Driver's Union president, Alpha Amadu Bah, pleaded in the document on behalf of truck drivers and people affected by group five, which are vehicles transporting essential goods.

In response, Hon. Bashiru Silikie stated that all the contributions from the speakers are vital and would be part of their recommendations to Parliament. He also emphasized the significant challenges of overloading and requested that all parties comply with the weight limits.

Overall, the committee and stakeholders engaged in a constructive dialogue to ensure the proposed toll gate charges are fair and equitable for all parties involved.  He promised sierra Leoneans that all the allegations would be looked into and their recommendation to the plenary would be reflective of the people.