Johannesburg - 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."