Deputy Roads and Transport Minister fumbles over Towing Levy controversy

Deputy Transport Minister Titus Glover appears to be having difficulties justifying why the public should pay the controversial towing levy, which's revised form was made public on Monday.

Parliament's select committee on roads and transport on Monday announced a revised form of the levy, including a decision to contribute 2.5 per cent to the National Ambulance Services.  

The recommendations, according to the committee, are as a result of rampant road accidents that take away lives on our roads.

“The committee, conscious of the high incidence of accidents on our roads and the danger posed by disabled vehicles to all road users, examined the contract and noted the obligations hereof imposed on the service provider.”

The service provider, according to the committee, is to work around the clock, provide ambulances equipped with paramedics, patrol the highways and major roads with motor bikes, provide a 24-hour multimedia call centre to receive reports of road related cases.

Also, the service provider is to provide “traffic control and management at critical areas in the country, and fully functional parking areas for storage of towed vehicles.

The committee also recommended for the levy not to be reviewed upward for the next two years, and also allocate 2.5% out of the 85% given to the service providers, to be given to the National Ambulance Services and that of the National Health Insurance Authority. 

But speaking on Adom Fm’s breakfast show, Mr Glover, who is also MP for Tema East, said the recommendations will be studied by a technical team to be put together by his ministry and subsequently dispatched to the presidency for a decision to be taken on it.

He was however quick to push the blame for the entire levy on the previous government, insisting the majority at the time gave the green light to the levy.

When pressed to explain where the towed vehicles will be kept, Mr Glover struggled on the phone to respond to the question, claiming that will be looked at by the committee.

He continued that the previous government should be held accountable for the controversy that has been generated, and not the current NPP regime.

The contract is expected to last 20 years and motorists and vehicle owners will be mandated to pay every two years.

Click to download towing levy contract

 

www.primenewghana.com/ Ghana News