General News of Monday, 21 August 2017

Source: classfmonline.com

NDC MP commends government on tow levy

Inusah Fuseini, MP for Tamale Central Inusah Fuseini, MP for Tamale Central

Inusah Fuseini, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and former Minister of Roads and Highways, has extolled the Akufo-Addo-led government for cancelling the compulsory tow levy.

He told Valentina Ofori-Afriyie, host of the 505 programme on Class 91.3FM on Monday: “I think that the government has responded rightly; it is a step in the right direction. When a policy is introduced or initiated and there is a general outcry, the government has to suspend its implementation and reconsider it and review it to ensure that it meets the legitimate expectations of the people. So I commend government for withdrawing the towing levy.”

Government announced the cancellation of the levy on Sunday, 20 August 2017 after a section of Ghanaians strongly opposed its implementation.

The policy would have imposed a mandatory fee on all vehicle owners in the country.

This was to help a towing company tow broken-down vehicles from the roads across the country to help ensure traffic safety and reduce accidents.

A statement from the Transport Ministry announcing the cancellation of the contract said: “The government has decided not to implement the mandatory towing levy which was scheduled to have commenced on 1 July, 2017.

“This follows extensive consultation between the Minister of Transport and stakeholders in the transport sector.”

The statement signed by Transport Minister, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, noted that: “Upon consultations consequent to the calls, government has decided to seek a review of parts of the laws specifically to achieve the following objective: removal from the law, the concept of a mandatory towing levy on all owners and persons in charge of motor vehicles and trailers.”