THE issue of tolling urban roads is up for "rediscussion and government has said 'whoa' to further projects," says Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele.
Answering questions during a press briefing in Parliament yesterday, Ndebele said: "Never again shall we have a city or provincial government taking a decision of (such) monumental or national consequences."
Ndebele was referring to the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project that Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan had to make a surprise allocation of R5.8-billion to shore up the R20-billion debt the project had run up.
Ndebele said: "We have taken money from the fiscus, which is not money taken from the back pocket of the minister of finance, but taken from other programmes, while at the same time we must be careful that we do not rob Peter to pay Paul."
The freeway improvement project is due to become operational from April 30, but a number of organisations are opposing it. This include labour movement Cosatu which has called for strikes and the Automobile Association of SA that has threatened legal action.
Ndebele said future road upgrades would be downgraded in expectations. He said the Gauteng project was a proposal from the provincial government that began in 2006. It was always envisaged as a tolling system.
He said since it was only national government that could toll roads, part of the process was to transfer the N1 and N2 roads from provincial to national control.
Ndebele said the problem had been in the actual implementation of the project.
"We are not quarrelling with the need for freeway improvement. We are quarrelling with the post 2009-politics with the agitation against the project four years after its implementation."
Ndebele was adamant road improvement was needed and that the second phase of the Gauteng project would be implemented.
But any further e-tolling proposals would have to be properly discussed so that users understood the implementations and this included the second phase of the Gauteng project and the proposed Cape Winelands toll road. - I-Net Bridge
Ndebele tightens reins on toll roads
THE issue of tolling urban roads is up for "rediscussion and government has said 'whoa' to further projects," says Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele.
Answering questions during a press briefing in Parliament yesterday, Ndebele said: "Never again shall we have a city or provincial government taking a decision of (such) monumental or national consequences."
Ndebele was referring to the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project that Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan had to make a surprise allocation of R5.8-billion to shore up the R20-billion debt the project had run up.
Ndebele said: "We have taken money from the fiscus, which is not money taken from the back pocket of the minister of finance, but taken from other programmes, while at the same time we must be careful that we do not rob Peter to pay Paul."
The freeway improvement project is due to become operational from April 30, but a number of organisations are opposing it. This include labour movement Cosatu which has called for strikes and the Automobile Association of SA that has threatened legal action.
Ndebele said future road upgrades would be downgraded in expectations. He said the Gauteng project was a proposal from the provincial government that began in 2006. It was always envisaged as a tolling system.
He said since it was only national government that could toll roads, part of the process was to transfer the N1 and N2 roads from provincial to national control.
Ndebele said the problem had been in the actual implementation of the project.
"We are not quarrelling with the need for freeway improvement. We are quarrelling with the post 2009-politics with the agitation against the project four years after its implementation."
Ndebele was adamant road improvement was needed and that the second phase of the Gauteng project would be implemented.
But any further e-tolling proposals would have to be properly discussed so that users understood the implementations and this included the second phase of the Gauteng project and the proposed Cape Winelands toll road. - I-Net Bridge
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos