Parliament backtracks on Legon toll investigation

Parliament on Tuesday withdrew a directive given on February 4, 2014 to two committees of the House to investigate a decision by authorities of the University of Ghana to levy users of the school's roads.

The Committee on Education and that on Roads and Transport were asked by Speaker Edward Doe Adjaho to look into the reasons behind the university’s decision, which caused public outcry.

Between Ghc1 and Ghc3 was charged road users from February 1, 2014 with the University adducing that the tolls will be used not only to service loans obtained for asphalting the roads but also to maintain them.

The Roads and Transport Committee, in order to meet the Speaker's deadline, went ahead to hear from both officials of the Ministry of Roads and Highways and University of Ghana.

But during Tuesday’s proceeding in Parliament, Ebo Barton Oduro, the First Deputy Speaker, pointed out that the attention of the House was drawn by Member for Manhyia South Constituency, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, regarding a suit filed by two students over the University's decision.

Master Musah Mustapha, a Level 400 student and Master Ernest Apau, a Graduate student, on January 29, 2014 sought an order from the Supreme Court to stop the university from tolling road users.

Mr Barton Oduro, who is also Member for Cape Coast North Constituency, said the House at the time of the directive, was unaware the students had taken the matter to court.