Parliament hints of reintroduction of withdrawn controversial towing levy

Chairman of parliamentary select committee on roads and transport, Samuel Ayepaye has hinted that the controversial road towing levy that has been withdrawn could be reintroduced with some modifications in the future.

He said the policy is a very good one contrary to claims by a section of the public that it is meant to fleece motorists in the country.

While admitting education on the levy is what has not gone down well with the electorate, he stated that there is the need for various stakeholders to embark on sensitization for a better understanding of the levy.

He said Ghanaians would have appreciated the levy if the procedure was well explained but he was optimistic, the levy would be laid before the house again with a full embrace of the citizens.

To this end, he warned persons accusing parliamentarians of bribe to desist from it or prove with substantial evidence.

“Whoever says that doesn’t know how parliament works. The law was passed in 2012. Parliament cannot stand against itself. Any subcommittee cannot go against a law passed by parliament except the executive and legislature. The leadership of the house knew the content of the levy report before it was made public. People talk anyhow. He knows nothing. If he has proof, CHRAJ, EOCO and the rest are opened, who or what is stopping him? We won’t waste our time on him” he chided.

The National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) introduced the service in order to rid the country’s roads of broken down vehicles that are abandoned and which cause accidents.

As part of the law, vehicle owners and motorcyclists were expected to pay compulsory annual fees, tied to the acquisition of road worthy certificate, to cater for towing services. Fees per year for both commercial and non-commercial vehicles, depending on tonnage, range from GHC 20 to GHC 200.The NRSC awarded the contract to the Road Safety Management Limited (RSML), a subsidiary of the Jospong Group owned by Businessman Joseph Siaw Agyapong.