By Ragan M. Conteh

The tollgate saga has attracted serious concerns from stakeholders of government, civil society organizations as well as members of the public.

Members of the public had earlier described the announcement on the proposed increase on tollgate prices as a way to create more burden on the already suffering Sierra Leoneans.

When the Ministry of Works announced the proposed tollgate charges, a stakeholder of government expressed mixed feelings on the said saga.

Vehicle owners and passengers and other drivers plying the tollgate route have expressed dismay on such decision by government and the Chinese private company, CRSG, to be a very wicked act.

However, parliament has summoned relevant stakeholders to have a discussion on the matter.

A notice issued from parliament clerk stated that, “the Office of the Clerk of 2024 parliament wishes to inform Hon. Members of Parliament and the General Public that Parliament will convene a Stakeholders Consultative Meeting, tomorrow Tuesday 27 February 2024 at 12:00 Noon in Committee Room One Parliament building to discuss the toll gate charges”.

In view thereof, the notice further said that the Ministry of Works and Public Assets, SLRA, SLRSA, CRSG, the Attorney General’s Office, Motor Drivers Union, CSOs and the Media are invited to attend and on time.

The speaker of Sierra Leone Parliament; Hon. Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu, will chair the Stakeholders Consultative Meeting, the notice reads.

The parliamentary Committee on Works had, last week, ordered the Minister of Works and Public Assets to put on hold the proposed tariffs on tollgate not until the minister reviews the fees and submit to parliament.

In a directive by Hon. Silikie to Dr Dennis Sandi, the Minister of Works and Public Assets, and China Railway Seventh Group (CRSG), a halt on the proposed tollgate new increasing tariffs was sent to the minister and the Chinese company.

Also, members of the committee in parliament have, since last week, called for a comprehensive review of the agreement earlier signed over the years between the government and CRSG.