A caution has been issued to government over the intention to link mobile money and bank accounts of vehicle owners to the billing system of the proposed digitized road toll platform.
Mr Gibson Harrison, the CEO of Gibson Safety Consult opines that such a system could render users vulnerable to cyber fraud and other financial losses.
In his view, it would be prudent, government routes road toll to prepaid accounts of users, just as it is done in advanced countries. Speaking on Connect FM’s Midday News, Orokodo Kasaebo in Takoradi on May 27, Gibson said the use of prepaid accounts will only shield users from cyber-attack but also offer them convenience in paying up road toll.
“In advanced countries, they have dedicated prepaid accounts for which bills [on road toll] are charged. In an event of a cyber-attack, my bank or Momo account could be affected. So, this prepaid account insulates the user against such risks.
“Instead of linking our Momo or banks directly to these transactions, let’s have the prepaid accounts. We are still battling this Momo fraud issue. Let’s consider creating prepaid accounts for every driver to facilitate this new system,” he emphasized.
Gibson commended the government for its consideration for an automated road toll system in Ghana. Yet, he feels that such a transitioning should be gradual, to enable Ghanaians adapt to the technology and lifestyle.
These remarks come after President Mahama’s announcement at the 9th Ghana CEO Summit and Awards Expo, that the road toll will soon be reintroduced with an efficient and digitized technology. In his description of the design, President Mahama said the new system will do away with the physical toll booths.
“We don’t need to have the old toll gates and those cards that you stand and open and all that. We will just go straight, digitalized.”
Earlier this month the Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza disclosed at the launch of the National stakeholders’ engagement on the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway project, plans by the government to roll out a smart road tolling system by the end of 2025.
Among other functionalities, the new system, according to the Minister, will provide real-time traffic data, support targeted maintenance planning, and allow for more transparent fund management, with toll revenue potentially reinvested in road upkeep.
