By Nasratu Kargbo
Members of Parliament who were present during the committee hearing organized to discuss the implementation of the new tollgate charges have unanimously agreed that the agreement should be reviewed.
The MPs decided after reading some clauses in the agreement that they believe should be removed or reviewed.
Speaking at the meeting held on 23rd February 2024, Joseph William Lamin pleaded that there should be a win-win situation on the matter; and that stakeholders do all they can to minimize the charges for Sierra Leoneans “not to suffer”.
He said in a place where there is transparency, certain information should not be hidden. “There are some things we inherit in governance that are not pleasant and not good for us, even though the government is continuity”, the MP said.
Speaking passionately on the issue, he questioned why certain things should be kept secret and described the agreement as ambiguous.
Falaba District MP Mohamed Alpha Jalloh in his statement said it is important that the contract be reviewed, which could be an opportunity to right the wrongs.
He explained that Clause 3.5 of the agreement states that Chinese Railway Seventh Group (CLSG) – the Company that constructed the road where the three tollgates are is not obliged to disclose documents, whilst Clause16 states that the institution should disclose all accounting reports, financial statements, profit and loss amongst others, prompting the MP to ask what could be the information that the company is not obliged to disclose.
Chairman of the Works and Public Assets Committee in Parliament, Bashiru Silikie asked: “Mr. Minister can we review the whole contract? Immediately after this, I am of the conviction that we should sit and review the entire contract”.
The Minister of Works and Public Assets, Dr. Dennis Sandy told the MPs that the cabinet has made a decision to review the entire contract but was quick to note that it is also important that they seek the interest of the investor.
He explained that the government had agreed with CRSG in 2015, which states that the group shall adjust toll charges whenever there is an exchange rate that varies by 10%. He said that from that time to now, there has been a 205% increase in the exchange rate.
One of the contentious areas mostly debated is Clause 10.4 of the agreement which speaks on Revisions to the Highway Tolls that says: “The Toll Tariff shall be adjusted subject to review on the base traffic data by both parties whenever the exchange rate varies by 10%. The Concessionaire shall ensure that the toll tariffs are published at such time to enable the adjusted tolls to be charged with effect from the requisite date under this concession agreement. At any rate, not later than two days after mutual agreement”.
Another concern is part of the agreement that states CRSG is not obliged to disclose certain information.
The proposed increment suggests that Kekeh prices be increased from one to three Leones, Sedan and taxis from two to five Leones, whilst SUVs, Pick Ups, Jeeps, Mini, and Medium Buses up to eighteen seats that used to pay four Leones are to pay ten Leones.
The proposal suggests that Coaches (above 18 seats), light trucks, medium trucks (less than ten tyres), excavators, loaders, and fuel bowzers with two axles pay forty Leones, and vehicles under this category use to pay eighteen Leones.
Those under category five which includes heavy trucks with ten tyres and above, trailers, fuel bowsers with tank trailers, semi-trailers, and flatbeds currently pay one hundred eighty-three Leones and are proposed to pay seven hundred Leones. Fuel bowzers with three to four axles but without trailers are proposed to pay two hundred and fifty Leones, vehicles in this category are currently paying one hundred Leones.
The proposed new charges were to be effective 1st March 2024.
It is important to note that the monies collected as toll fee is collected in Leones, but paid in dollars. The agreement is set to last for twenty-seven years.
Copyright © 2024 Politico (04/03/24)
