THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE TOLLING of roads is not uncommon. Those of us who have travelled to other countries may have seen it before. This is new to us here, however, and like all things new it has drawn attention from all and sundry as to the necessity and affordability. Certainly the issue deserves the attention based on the logic, cost and long-run implications.
The outcry from the Portmore residents is worth assessing as the ruling on this matter could well determine the future of tolls in Jamaica. When assessing the impact that the tolling of the Portmore leg of the Highway 2000 will have, we must put it in the context of economic ramifications. Surely there is a cost for development but we need to determine who is to pay this. Should the Portmore resident, faced with already high and misused taxes, utility bills, petrol increases every day amid the escalating cost of living pay this cost, or should the Government in the interest of national development fund this construct?
What justification is there for a toll to be charged on this leg, which geographically is not a crucial part of a highway from Kingston to Negril but rather an adjacent connection. Observing where the highway comes up to Lakes Pen and Dyke Road to connect to Mandela, branching off to Portmore is merely an option. It seems then that the Portmore toll is designed to earn additional funds for the contractors based on the sheer numbers that would use it. Questions need to be asked on the relative cost of the Portmore leg to the entire Highway project and who is responsible for paying this. Why should the Portmore resident be asked to pay for such a short and detached piece of the project merely because it will decrease traffic and road time? Based on our contribution to taxes and national funds we deserve better roads without paying additional tolls. Indeed, the traffic phenomenon speaks to inadequate planning on the part of the original Portmore developers: no fault of the Portmore citizen.
IMPLICATIONS
If the toll is implemented in Portmore, what then will be the long-term implications? Will every highway to town connection carry a toll? Will major roadwork carry a toll? Is the toll evidence of the Government's inability to fund significant national road work? These are questions to be answered by the Transport Minister and the chairman of NROCC.
The Minister has asked for patience from the Portmore citizens and surely we can give him time. I hope that he will have answers to the questions raised by us and that an amicable solution will be realised at the end of the deliberations.
I am, etc.,
GRAHAM .D. REYNOLDS
greynolds@ivsja.com
