Gauteng premier David Makhura says he will act on the findings of the e-toll panel.<\/p>\n
This follows reports that transport minister Dipuo Peters said that the advisory panel on e-tolls did not have power over national government.<\/p>\n
Peters reportedly said that the national government would not change its position on the controversial e-tolling system, despite the findings of the advisory panel, set up to assess the economic, social, and environmental impacts of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP), and e-tolls.<\/p>\n
The e-toll panel, set up by Makhura, has thus far heard presentations from many concerned oragnisations speaking about the wider impact of the controversial system.<\/p>\n
The panel is expected to present its finding to the premier in November.<\/p>\n
The premier told SABC News: “The outcome of the panel is something we will take very seriously as the provincial government on Gauteng, and the findings and the recommendations of the panel is something we will act on.”<\/p>\n
“My primary concern is the people of Gauteng and that is what I am here for. The minister’s primary concern is the national infrastructure, so we [are] looking at slightly different things, and I cannot abandon my primary concern,” The Times reported the premier as saying<\/p>\n
“It is about the impact on the people and the economy of Gauteng. If the panel says the impact is positive, then I will not be worried.”<\/p>\n
“But if [it] says the impact is negative and [that] these are the views of the [Gauteng] people we will act accordingly.”<\/p>\n
Most presentations have spoken out against the system, including those from JPSA, Outa, Fedusa, Busa, and Nactu.<\/p>\n
The groups have been calling for a fuel levy to be implemented as an alternative funding mechanism.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s important that the panel doesn\u2019t create the impression that we\u2019re going to do away with the system. The system will be government\u2019s policy to accelerate infrastructure development,\u201d Peters told Eye Witness News.<\/p>\n
E-tolls will stay: Transport minister<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Sanral e-toll panel no-show no loss: JPSA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n