The Minister of Roads and Highways, Joe Gidisu, says government hopes to raise in about GH¢7 million annually from the road toll rates.

Before the new rates, government was making between GH¢2.5 and GH¢3 million yearly.

The roads minister disclosed this to the press at the inauguration of the new management board for the road fund.

The road fund, established by Act 536, is mandated to finance routine, periodic maintenance of public roads in the country.

The fund itself is financed by tax revenue from several sources including petroleum, vehicle registration and road worthiness and road tolls.

In spite of the revenue accruing to the fund yearly, the road fund is said to meet only 55 per cent of the maintenance needs of the road agencies coupled with huge indebtedness to road contractors.

The road fund currently owes contractors to the tune of about GH¢120 million.

Deputy chief of staff at the presidency, Alex Segbefia, attributed the situation to imprudent management of the road fund by successive boards.

Inaugurating the new management board for the fund, Alex Segbefia charged members to introduce innovative ideas to give road users value for money.

The chairman of new road fund board, Joe Gidisu, stated the new road toll rates, which took effect from February 1, will raise road toll contributions to the fund from two per cent to five per cent.

He added this is to enable the board provide quality roads that meet the expectation of road users.

Road fund board chairman, Joe Gidisu, promised to inject discipline in the award of road contracts, so as not to over-commit the fund like in the past.