Pay toll to only MMDAs - Nii Ashietey

Accra, June, 17, GNA - Nii Armah Ashietey, Greater Accra Regional Minister, on Thursday assured members of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) that the Council would not allow any traditional authority to impose any fees or levies on the operations of any transport organisation. He said it was unlawful for anybody to impose any levies on transport operators without due regard to the law.

Nii Ashietey made the observation on Thursday when he met a delegation of the GPRTU following a declaration by a clan leader of the Ga state that he would impose levies on the Union.

The Minister said the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) deliberated on the matter extensively and concluded that the directive by the clan elder could not be enforced as it was clearly a recipe for chaos and confusion.

"The power and legal authority to impose any levy, dues and tolls on the operations of any vehicle or transport operator is prescribed by law, specifically section 94 of the Local Government Act 1993, Act 462, and that authority is vested in the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs)," he said.

The Regional Minister noted that if for any reason a traditional authority was desirous of imposing any fees or levies, it must be done in consultation with and concurrence of the MMDAs.

Nii Ashietey advised any person, who had any issues relating to the imposition of such levies, to seek proper legal advice and abide by the laws governing such matters.

He asked the GPRTU and other transport operators to exercise restraint and go about their work in peace and harmony with the MMDAs.

Nii Ashietey also assured the general public that the REGSEC would not allow a few individuals to take the law into their own hands and create confusion in the Metropolis.

Alhaji Issah Tetteh, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the GPRTU, said the union would not allow anybody to do anything illegal to affect their activities.

He assured the Minister that the union would do its best to stay calm and rely on the REGSEC for any directive.