The Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project Steering Committee, which was formed by Minister of Transport Sibusiso Ndebele to address the proposed e-tolling on Gauteng's roads, is putting the final touches to the report to be submitted to the Minister for consideration.
Given the number of issues which were raised during the stakeholder engagement, it is expected that once the report is handed over to the Minister, there will be another round of consultation with the stakeholders.
It is only after this consultation, by the end of July 2011, that the Minister will then be in a position to issue a final decision on e-tolling for the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Scheme.
This matter, which has attracted an outcry from a wide-ranging number of stakeholders, has to be dealt with thoroughly and in a manner that addresses the concerns raised during consultations.
It is of importance that this process retains its integrity and that the outcome reflects the honest engagement we have had stakeholders across the spectrum.
In the interest of all our road users, we cannot rush into hasty decisions on the e-tolling issue as this might, however well-intended undermine the very aim of having engaged with all the stakeholders.
