The Transport Operators of Ghana have expressed strong disapproval of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s pledge to extend driver’s license renewal from two to 10 years. In a statement released on Tuesday, August 13, the group criticized Bawumia’s promise, describing it as a mere attempt to win votes from drivers.
According to the transport operators, Bawumia has demonstrated a lack of concern for their welfare in the past, making his new pledge seem insincere. The current legislation requires drivers to renew their licenses every two years, as mandated by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).
However, Bawumia believes that this requirement is an inconvenience for drivers and has promised to extend the renewal period to 10 years if elected. The transport operators argue that Bawumia should focus on addressing more pressing issues, such as removing taxes on petroleum products.
They also urge him to reduce the cost of acquiring a driving license, roadworthy certificate, and vehicle registration. Furthermore, the group reminds Bawumia of his unfulfilled 2020 pledge and accuses him of attempting to “gaslight” them with new promises.
The transport operators’ statement suggests that they are skeptical of Bawumia’s motives and question his commitment to their welfare. The group’s response highlights the need for politicians to prioritize the concerns of transport operators and drivers, rather than making empty promises for electoral gain.
Below is the full statement.
Transport Operators of Ghana
13TH August, 2024
Press Statement for Immediate Release
Bawumia Cannot Be Trusted Over the Ten Year Renewal of Driver’s License
We have become aware of Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia’s promise to implement a policy that will allow for drivers license to be renewed only after ten years. While we welcome the suggestion as a brilliant idea we have genuine cause to not just believe but to also state unequivocally that it is another bait to just win the votes of drivers because he has in times past exhibited a glaring lack of concern for the plight of drivers.
It is of public knowledge that drivers in the country, particularly, commercial drivers are in deep shackles of suffering as a result of policies instituted by the NPP and by the same Bawumia’s led Economic Management Team. It is Bawumia’s government that introduced the Sanitation and Pollution Levy(SPL) on petroleum products and several other taxes that are contributing to the continuous increment in fuel prices.
Under the same Akufo Addo/Bawumia government, the cost of acquiring, renewing and replacing of driver’s licenses and road-worthy certificates have been increased astronomically.
It is also publicly known that prior to the 2020 elections, the same Bawumia pledged electric vehicles that would have been purchased under hire for drivers but his government’s tenure is almost ending and not even a single electric vehicle has been procured for any driver.
Even recently, Dr Bawumia at the GPRTU executives’ elections which was held in Kasoa pledged to have the situation where vehicle owners pay penalties for road-worthy certificate renewal for vehicles that went to the workshop dealt with swiftly. However, he appears to have completely forgotten the July 5 pledge.
The deception is stark and makes it obvious that he is only acting in a cunning manner to win the votes of drivers.
But just as the adage goes, ‘once bitten twice shy’ and so we wish to call on Bawumia to exercise his commitment by removing the taxes his government placed on petroleum products, reducing the acquisition cost of driving license, roadworthy certificates and vehicle registration as well as honouring his 2020 pledge before gaslighting us with any new pledge.
We call on divers to be more vigilant about these promises being churned out by the vice president who is now leading the NPP into the 2020 elections and not to be swayed by same.
