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Cameroon: 'Toll Gates' With a Difference
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Cameroon Tribune (Yaoundé)
COLUMN
17 March 2008
Posted to the web 17 March 2008
Tche Irene Morikang
Have you ever cared to find out why all drivers of heavy-duty vehicles transporting goods on our highways are given "road allowances"? Well, it is not only to handle the unforeseen, such as repairing a flat tyre or accidents.
It is also to pay their way through the toll gates. And toll gates, indeed, there are. Besides the authorised toll gates, there are several places on our roads where drivers are obliged to deep their hands into their pockets. Who cares if all your documents are right!
The characteristics of these unofficial "toll gates", managed by men and women with red and black berets, are virtually the same through out the country. They will hardly go for personal cars as they target vehicles carrying goods. At times the rates are known; although they are subject to negotiation. And what more, no receipts are issued for the money received.
The irony is that consumers are those who eventually pay for these tips handed to the men in uniform on our highways as traders take this into consideration when fixing their prices. If you were present at the recent negotiations between the Minister of Trade and wholesalers, you'll certainly bail me out. Making sure that these unlawful "toll gates" cease to exist might just be another way to down the prices of some goods in our markets.
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