UG slams tolls on users of its roads

Drivers of private, commercial and heavy-duty trucks that traverse through the University of Ghana will from February pay road tolls before gaining access to the University campus.

A notice signed by the School’s Registrar, Mrs Mercy Haizel-Ashia, said private cars will pay Ghc1 per entry; Taxis and other small commercial passenger vehicles, Ghc2 per entry and large trucks delivering goods or passing through the campus Ghc3 per entry.

The notice said the new arrangements affect “all vehicles entering the University of Ghana main campus and also those using the road passing through the staff village of the University”.

It said: “Only employees of the University and their dependents using vehicles registered with the University will be exempt from paying the road user charges”.

“While arrangements are being made for the finalisation of work on toll booths to enable electronic access control, the process will start with a manual collection system for the two months being February and March 2014”, the statement said.

The University also put in place measures to help regular private road users who commute through the University to either pay for the entire year or make half or quarterly payments.

“These arrangements will enable them to avoid long queues that may be associated with daily payments and also provide them with unlimited entry whenever the roads are opened”.

For a full year, a user must pay Ghc400; for six months, Ghc250 and for three months, Ghc150.

The University further entreated the public to “drive carefully through the University campus” while “observing all applicable road use and road traffic regulations, especially in relation to stopping, parking, speeding and tooting of horns”.

It added that; “Arrangements are being made for the effective enforcement of road traffic regulations through appropriate sanctioning of violators”.

With specific regard to commercial transport operators, the University warned that it “does not permit any form of commercial transport service on the campus except those approved by management”.

“The management of the University of Ghana appeals to the general public for co-operation as the aim of the university is to maintain its road infrastructure in a decent state.

“It is also important for persons using the University's roads to respect the values of the institution as an academic institute that needs peace and tranquility for its work”, it added.