THE DEPUTY constituency organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Atwima Nwabiagya constituency of the Ashanti Region, Dauda Adams, has mounted a defence for the violent seizure of the Tabere toll booth on the Kumasi-Sunyani highway by some irate NDC youth.

He said a number of party foot-soldiers, including some New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters, were mobilized to take over the toll booth in order to prevent suspected misappropriation of funds by labourers put there by the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA).

He ruled out any illegality in their action, stressing that as citizens of the country, they would not sit down unconcerned while a few selfish elements in the district pocketed funds which otherwise could be used to develop deprived communities.

Speaking on Angel FM in Kumasi, Dauda Adams said the youth took that weird action to express their disapproval of the transfer of a group of workers who had been accused of embezzling revenue from the sale of tickets.

He explained that the workers were formerly at the Ntonso toll booth where their alleged corrupt practices resulted in their discharge and eventual unjustifiable transfer to the Tabere booth.

According to Mr. Adams, instead of the toll booth workers charging GH¢1.50p for KIA trucks and GH¢2.00 for tipper trucks, they charged GH¢1.00 for these vehicles without giving the drivers tickets, thereby pocketing the money for themselves.

He said after getting wind of the allegation of embezzlement against the workers, he personally spent more than a week at the booth to secretly monitor the workers’ illicit dealings for some time, and realized the situation was appalling.

He said his experience and checks at the booth unearthed that about GH¢4000.00 was realised from the sales of tickets to motorists a day, but only GH¢2000.00 was paid to the state.

Mr. Adams said considering the seriousness of the situation, he appealed to the Ashanti Regional Minister, Kofi Opoku Manu, to charge and arraign the workers if they have committed theft, instead of transferring them.

He stated that the anger of the youth was based on the fact that the workers from Ntonso were as corrupt as those at Tabere.

Meanwhile, the District Chief Executive of Atwima Nwabiagya, Nana Asare Bediako, has assured the youth he would contact the Ashanti Regional boss of Highways in order to resolve the impasse.

According to the DCE, the youth were complaining and protesting against the transfer of the toll booth workers because of allegations of corruption made against them.

He however condemned the act and appealed for calm for the law to take its course.

From James Quansah, Kumasi