Several organisations met the Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) on Thursday to discuss alternative funding models for the project.
They raised concerns about the project, said Thabo Masebe, spokesman for Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, who chairs the committee.
The organisations who attended were Business Unity SA (Busa), the Southern African Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (Savrala), the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa), the Road Freight Association (RFA) and religious leaders.
Masebe said director general in the presidency Dr Cassius Lubisi chaired Thursday's session.
“In the interest of transparency, government shared information with stakeholders to contextualise the GFIP and provide clarity on technical issues,” he said.
“Technical details shared with stakeholders included, among others, some of the explanations for the operational and administrative cost of the e-toll system.”
Masebe said presentations were shown on immediate-to-short-term programmes, as well as long-term plans to develop an integrated public transport system in the country.
“Stakeholders argued strongly for alternative funding models for the GFIP, including increasing the fuel levy,” he said.
“Government is aware of the concerns of stakeholders and is committed to consider all suggestions in deciding on a way forward. All stakeholders present agreed to engage further to address specific issues.” - Sapa