General News of Tuesday, 8 August 2017
Source: todaygh.com
2017-08-08
Mandatory tow levy suspended after days of public backlash
The government has, once again, suspended the implementation of the mandatory tow levy following days of public backlash.
The decision is an outcome of a meeting between the Transport Ministry and the Road Safety Commission.
The mandatory tow levy was first suspended in June this year after it became public that motorists would soon pay annually, between GH¢20 to GH¢200 to have their automobiles towed in case of a breakdown.
But critics say the move is another unjustified money-making deal to fleece motorists who may never need the towing service but would have to pay for it.
The credibility of Road Safety Management Ltd., the company contracted to implement the public towing service, was also questioned.
The company is a subsidiary of the Jospong Group owned by businessman, Joseph Siaw Agyapong, who has been named in several financial scandals.
In the heat of public disapproval, the first implementation date of July 1, 2017, was scrapped for what government described as wider stakeholder engagement.
That engagement included a review of the project by the roads and transport committee of Parliament which eventually gave its backing last week.
But the backing brought back, barking public resistance as a new September date for implementation was proposed.
Six days after Parliament okayed the collection of the levy and the engagement of RSML, the deal has once again been suspended.
