The government is set to debate a proposal for a dedicated road repair fund in Parliament, with financing expected to come from increased vehicle registration fees.
Chief of Staff in the Prime Minister’s Office, Lionel Hurst, said the initiative aims to create a sustainable mechanism for funding road maintenance, similar to the existing levies for education and healthcare. He described the proposal as a necessary step in addressing the growing demand for road repairs amid an increasing number of vehicles on the nation’s roads.
“There are two major complaints from the public—water and roads,” Hurst said during the post-cabinet briefing. “This proposal ensures that those who use the roads contribute directly to their upkeep.”
He indicated that heavier vehicles, which cause more wear and tear, would be subject to higher fees.
While details of the adjustments remain unclear, the measure is expected to draw scrutiny from opposition members. Some critics have raised concerns about the affordability of higher fees for vehicle owners, while others have questioned whether funds collected will be strictly allocated for road repairs.
The government has defended the proposal, arguing that it would allow for more consistent road maintenance without relying entirely on the national budget.
The debate is expected to take place in an upcoming parliamentary session.
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Good to see road repairs being prioritized.
Hope this fund is managed properly and actually leads to lasting improvements, not just temporary fixes.
The question that I need answered is What are the monies currently collected by the Transport Board; a Statutory Body being used for? From my understanding the fees (taxes) that are currently collected are supposed to be used to maintain the roads and other infrastructure associated with roadworks. Not pay exorbitant salaries, buy top end office furnishings, giant screen flat screen televisions and BMW’s etc….
The current financial state of Transport Board needs a full audit to determine where the monies collected are being allocated.
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