An amalgamation of four NDC youth groups in Tamale on the night of Wednesday February 2, 2011 stormed the Tamale Teaching Hospital and confiscated a number of vehicles meant for auction.
The vehicles were meant to be sold on auction on Thursday February 3. The irate NDC youth whose operation ended at 12 midnight pushed away eight unserviceable vehicles and five motorbikes belonging to the Tamale Teaching Hospital. The confiscated vehicles included four Mazda pick ups, one Mitsubishi mini bus, Mitsubishi cargo truck and five motorbikes. Eye witnesses accounted that the situation frightened both patients and workers of the hospital who were on duty. When contacted, Nii Otu, Public Relations Officer of the Tamale Teaching Hospital said he had no knowledge of the vehicles seizure but confirmed that the hospital authority was aware of an intended auction sale.
Meanwhile, Mr. Issah Alhassan, Chairman of the Northern Region Auctioneers Association described the operation as “Illegal” and called for an early return of the confiscated vehicles.
Earlier, members of the Northern Region Auctioneers Association raised alarm over alleged discrimination against them by some power blocs at the Presidency. In a press statement signed by the Chairman, Mr. Issah Alhassan asserted that some persons at the Presidency have formed their own auctioneering companies that were enjoying a monopoly of auction contracts nationwide.
This latest vehicle seizure is the third in the Tamale metropolis, following similar exercises carried out by the youth against vehicles of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly and telephony operator Vodafone.