Former government officials asked to return state vehicles

Accra, April 29, GNA - Mr Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa, Deputy Minister of Information, on Wednesday asked former government officials who still hav in their possession vehicles belonging to the State to return them in their own interest.

"In the particular case of persons who are in possession of vehicles that were not two years old as at January 6, 2009, government wishes to remind them that as per the directives previously issued to them, they should return the said vehicles before the end of the week," he said.

Mr. Okudzeto-Ablakwa who stated this at a press briefing said government wanted to make it clear that, the values placed on the various vehicles by the former officials who wanted to buy them had been found to be unacceptable.

He therefore said that the new values calculated by the official government valuer, who was sidelined by the intended buyers during the valuation stage, were what would apply in all cases.

Mr Okudzeto-Ablakwa said government has also rejected the supposed 30 per cent rebate granted to prospective buyers "even after the outrageous values" placed on the vehicles.

He said apart from persons who had made payments against vehicles that were less than two years old as at January 6, 2009 and whose monies would be refunded to them, all other persons are reminded that they would have to top up their payments where applicable before they can legally take possession of the said vehicles.

The Deputy Minister said the former government officials were making money out of the cars, which cost the state huge sums of money, and it would be a waste if new cars were bought for new government official as the money could be used for more important

things.