The Tribune

IN LIGHT of the country’s precarious economic situation, one community activist is calling for the government to put a tax on the use of new highways.

Speaking at a meeting of the Rotary Club of West Nassau, Rev CB Moss said drivers should pay a toll to use the newly-constructed thoroughfares that crisscross New Providence following extensive road construction under the former FNM government.

Rev Moss said: “As a result of the Bahamas’ fiscal state there is no question that major decisions must be made in the near term if we are to avoid our own ‘fiscal cliff’.

“The new highways will cost the Bahamian people well over $200 million upon completion, which is only the beginning of the problem.

“These roads must now be maintained and kept in good repair. In addition further expansion will be necessary in the next 10-15 years.”

In order to provide for this, the Bahamas must follow a strategy that has been tried and tested elsewhere – and with which many Bahamians are already familiar, Rev Moss said. He said: “The government must design and introduce an effective road toll system without much delay. Bahamians willingly pay a toll to travel on the highways of Florida in order to expedite their journeys.”

According to Rev Moss, once the need for such tolls is clearly explained and discussed with the public, Bahamians will agree to pay a modest fee to use the new highways and to provide for future repairs.

He added that looking at the Bahamas’ economic situation as a whole, immediate action is needed in at least three areas.

“New streams of revenue must be identified and implemented. Existing revenue sources must be more efficiently managed. Corruption, particularly in the public sector must be significantly reduced,” Rev Moss said.

The network of new highways, many of which are still being completed, came about as a result of the New Providence Infrastructure Improvement Project, the Airport Gateway Project and the Baha Mar Resort development.