The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committe on Works and Public Assets, Honorable Bashiru Silikie, has been widely commended for boldly asking the Minister of Works and Public Assets Dr. Dennis Sandy and the China Railway Seventh Group (CRSG) to put on hold the proposed implementation of the new toll gate charges.

The said policy is to be effected on March this year but is now being dismissed.

“March 1st can’t be actualized without coming to parliament, talk to CRSG not to implement until Parliament fix and approve the increment,” Hon Bashiru Silkib said.

Hon Ibrahim Tawa Conteh has also said putting on hold tollgate charges is welcoming.

Adding that the implementation is abeyance until the Ministry and CRSG and parliament readjust the tollgate price.

Chairman Silikie emphasized the need for the submission of a new draft on the regulation of tool gates prices.

He also called for a review on pertinent documents bearing on traffic data and financial reports to be presented to Parliament for review.

MPs have called for a comprehensive review of the agreement between the government and CRSG company.

The decision to put the tollgate price increment  on hold reflects the committee’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in the implementation of the transport charges.

By ensuring a thorough review of the pricing formula and a review of transport related documents, the committee says, it aims to safeguard the interests of the public and ensure that tollgate charges are tagged fairly.

The outcome of this review process will be crucial in determining the future direction of the tollgate charges and the agreement between the government and the CRSG, the committee opined.

The suspension is also seen by many Sierra Leoneans as a reflection of the people’s interests.

Earlier, the proposed increase in toll gate charges had sparked widespread criticisms from the public with many expressing their apprehensions about the additional financial burden the increasing charges will have cost on already some struggling individuals and families in Sierra Leone.