Bio Toll Gate Fare:  Added burden to the constant suffering of citizens

The increment of toll gate fare by the government through Dr. Denis Sandi, Minister of Works in Bio second government has come under heavy criticism from every facet of society for the right reasons because it is considered an added burden to the already existing economic affliction upon the people of Sierra Leone since 2018. During this period, Sierra Leoneans have felt extreme hardship with the high cost of living, rising inflation, unfavourable exchange rate, increase in transport fare, fuel subsidy removal and its consistent hike price, tariff increase in electricity, pipe-borne water and mobile tariff. With the passing of the Finance Act of 2024, citizens will now have to face unprecedented tax pain.  New taxes have been introduced and levied on cement, iron rods and gas that are now having a ripple effect on rents making life difficult for the ordinary man.   Sierra Leoneans have started feeling the heat on the reintroduction of tax on rice after the government removed subsidy on rice, Sierra Leone’s staple food. All did not seem right for Sierra Leoneans who struggled to make ends meet and live beyond the poverty line.

The aforementioned factors have been a nightmare, a thorn of flesh and a constant source of pain and suffering on citizens; as current trend speaks for itself without reproach.

It would be recalled that the Minister of Works, Dr. Denis informed the press about the intention to increase toll gate fare with effect from March. With the lowest price of SL 5000 increased to Le 10,000, it indicates that about a 100% increment has been made and the same applies to big trucks.

Essentially, the toll gate occupies the gateway to the provinces from which local produce comes through the toll gate and imported goods are taken to the provinces, especially rice which is imported from overseas. Since there is no other alternative to and from Freetown, the toll gate is strategically located.

 Unfortunately, the toll road does have an alternative route, as good practice demands. All vehicles from Freetown to Up-country had to go through the toll gate by which ordinary Sierra Leoneans suffer. So, any increase in the Toll Gate fare can affect the cost of living, leading to human cost of living. For there is the likelihood that the prices of goods and services will increase exorbitantly and will affect the human cost of living.

The Minister of Works during a press conference stated that CRSG, the Chinese  Company that constructed and manages the toll road complained to the government about the million dollars the company is losing per year but failed to tell journalists how much they have been making. Questions about the alternative route were posed to the Minister, which he did not answer to the expectation of the press. The question of the alternative road was not part of the agreement.

Be it what it may, the management of the toll gate started in 2017, when the Freetown Massiaka High Way was under construction. However, it was strongly opposed by the main Opposition SLPP by then and President Bio strongly opposed the toll gate fare, which he described as exploitative and threatened to stop it when voted to power. In 2018, Bio was voted President of Sierra Leone with a New Direction orientation to transform the country with the slogan ‘’pao pa Salone for better’’ The president made strides and stopped a lot of programs initiated by the erstwhile APC Government, like the MAMAMA Airport and reconstructed the Freetown International Airport but what he did not do was to stop the toll gate fare, which he assured Sierra Leoneans that he will do.  What led to his change of mind is still what people are grasping to understand?  Seven years on, the toll gate fare has gone on without encumbrance.  In 2024, it shocked citizens to hear the Government announcing an increment of toll gate fares by 100% at a time when Sierra Leone’s economy is waning and poverty looming daily.

The increment has left minds boggling and public outcry against the timeliness. Civil society and the media, as well as good citizens, have condemned the proposed increment which has come at a time when the Government also tempted the increase transport fares with the launch of the Waka Fine buses, with a price tag of SL 10,000, twice the price of commercial motorists. This in turn has also tempted commercial motorists to increase their transport fares.

The question as to whether the new toll gate fare would not take effect is difficult to say because the Bio-led government has never reverted its decision but with public opinion mounting pressure, there is the likelihood that it would be reverted but it reversion is hanging on a thin thread.

In conclusion, Sierra Leonens are already suffering from tax pain, hardship and economic burden, the implementation of the proposed Toll Gate fare is nothing but a nightmare and a thorn in the flesh of the poor masses. If the situation is handled properly, it would be fine but for the political gymnastics often played by parliament, one is worried about its reversion.   It would be recalled that in 2017, the same issue was taken to parliament and a hold was put on the fare but it was eventually passed by parliament.

According to Lamrana Bah of Freetownstories :

‘’The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee of Works and Public Assets, Hon. Bashiru Sidikie has asked the Minister of Works and Public Assets Dr. Dennis Sandy, and the China Railway Seventh Group (CRSG) to put on hold the planned implementation of the new toll gate charges on March 1st, 2024. He said they should submit to Parliament a draft review of the new price formula for the toll gate charges and other documents including the traffic data and financial reports. Members of the committee have also called for a review of the agreement between the Government and CLSG’’