Kwesi Amoako struggles as he makes a u-turn on converting tollbooths to urinals
After receiving backlash from the citizenry on his comment on what to use the now-defunct tollbooths for, the Roads and Highways Minister Kwasi Amoako Atta has now sought to explain his comments on the usage of the abandoned tollbooths in the country as places of convenience indicating that it is part of many ideas government is considering to explore.
He then complained that the suggestion has also been misconstrued by the media and a section of the public.
In his response to a question posed by Adaklu MP, Governs Agbodza on the reason behind the Minister wanting to now turn the defunct tollbooths into urinals while asking for financial approval to build new booths, the Minister explained that he was providing answers to a specific question about what next for the tollbooths to which he provided one of the several proposals.
“It was an interview, but a small portion of it is what has been taken by the media. I was speaking to the press and they wanted to know the future of all the tollbooths and among others, I said the Ministry has plans and the government is thinking of a lot of ways of putting the tollbooths to use, and I said that we have about 38 of them at various vantage points in the country, to improve the sanitary situation. For instance, on the highways we have vehicles stopping indiscriminately and drivers and passengers getting down urinating everywhere and it’s too indecent.”
Comments from Minister’ may now come across as a U-turn as he struggled to provide a convincing clarification to his colleague lawmaker.
He revealed that a concrete decision had not been taken on the plan, as his Ministry is still considering proposals on the next line of action for all tollbooths nationwide, following the government’s decision to abolish the collection of tolls.
“I suggested that [tollbooth will be turned into washrooms] among other things, so it wasn’t a statement I made anywhere. It was an interview and only that portion was picked. You do not have access and you are not privy to the entire interview so as a Member of Parliament why did you pick this alone, [it means] you are ignorant,” he replied Mr. Agbodza.
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
