Transport Operators Doubt Bawumia Will Deliver On Promise Amid Proposed Drivers' Licence Extension

• Transport operators have taken a swipe at the New Patriotic Party's flagbearer's latest promise to them
• Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has proposed to extend the renewal period for drivers' licenses to one decade
• However, transport operators said the promises he made before the 2020 elections are yet to be fulfilled

The Transport Operators of Ghana have jabbed the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, over his proposal to extend the renewal of drivers’ licences from two years to 10 years.

In a statement on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, the group said that while the Vice President's proposal was a brilliant one, they had every reason to believe it was just another ploy to win drivers’ votes.

According to the group, Dr Bawumia had previously neglected the plight of drivers, with his government subsequently instituting policies that had an adverse impact on drivers.

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The group stated that the Bawumia-led Economic Management Team had introduced several tax handles, including the Sanitation and Pollution Levy (SPL) on petroleum products and several others that have caused fuel prices to soar.

The group added that under the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government, acquiring, renewing, and replacing drivers’ licenses and road-worthy certificates had become significantly more expensive.

Transport operators sceptical of Bawumia's promises

The Transport Operators added that despite Dr Bawumia proposing several other policies aimed at alleviating the plight of drivers in the run-up to the 2020 elections, none of them had materialised.

One of those policies was the introduction of electric vehicles for commercial drivers in the country, which the Vice President touted as an initiative to give Ghana a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to the combustion engine.

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The group, per a Citinewsroom report, said it was a few months to the end of his tenure as Vice President and yet not a single electric vehicle under that policy had materialised.

According to the group, its members have become wary of his 'cunning tactics' and have advised themselves accordingly.

The group has called on Dr Bawumia to demonstrate his commitment to drivers by removing - among other things - the excess taxes on petroleum products as well as delivering the electric vehicles for drivers as he had promised.

The group urged drivers to be vigilant and not be carried away by the Vice President’s lofty promises ahead of the 2024 presidential elections.

Bawumia proposes driver’s license renewal extension

Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Bawumia, has proposed an amendment to the period of validity of a driver’s license.

According to him, the current regime where drivers must renew their licenses every two years is not favourable.

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He said the short interval between renewals has made drivers prone to harassment from police and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) officials over license non-renewals.

According to Myjoyonline.com, Dr Bawumia described the current system as inconvenient for drivers and said it must be curbed.

Bawumia enstooled as 'Internet Chief'

YEN.com.gh also reported that the New Patriotic Party flagbearer, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, had been enstooled as Nana Ntentankesehene, which means the Chief of the Internet.

The Chief of Nsawam enstooled the Vice President on the morning of July 9, with the title said to be a recognition of Bawumia's commitment to technology and digitalisation.

Proofread by Bruce Douglas, senior copy editor at YEN.com.gh

Source: YEN.com.gh