Ian Ollis. Image courtesy of the DA.
Ian Ollis, Democratic Alliance (DA) member of parliament (MP) has described the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) 2013 Toll Excellence Award as a “pathetic attempt to gain legitimacy”.
HumanIPO reported yesterday SANRAL had described itself as “world class” after winning the award, organised by the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA),which it nominated itself for despite widespread condemnation of its still inoperational e-tolling system in South Africa.
Ollis made several points, which he believes SANRAL failed to mention. The points include the fact the award may only be granted to members of the IBTTA that pay up to ZAR110,000 (US$11,580) in membership fees sourced from public funds.
He said the IBTTA is comprised of a small group of companies which endorse tolls and openly encourage the construction of tolls.
“Their whole point of existence is to praise toll roads, not to help find alternative solutions which help poor people,” said Ollis.
Because SANRAL nominated themselves for this award, Ollis believes the agency used public money to become members in an attempt to legitimise their plans to construct and implement e-tolling in South Africa.
“For this then to be used as support for the building of toll roads, is just plain ludicrous. It is nothing more than a pathetic attempt to try and find good reasons for toll-roads in South Africa when none exist,” said Ollis.
“If anything, it has completely backfired on SANRAL – because receiving an award for e-tolling from a group whose major aim is to promote e-tolls is laughable at best.”
The DA is planning to send parliamentary questions to Ben Martins, minister of transport, seeking answers on how many members of the Department of Transport (DoT) are now also members IBTTA, the costs involved for each member and what benefits each member will get.
“SANRAL’s IBTTA membership does not appear to serve any public interest. All IBTTA offers are discounts to workshops and exhibitions, as well as access to a monthly letter from the executive director and a biannually published journal,” said Ollis.
“IBTTA also provides positive PR support to countries struggling to gain public support for tolls… There is nothing good about the government’s plan to build toll roads. All they will do is undermine economic growth, hurt the poor, and ultimately result in job losses.”
