Government to take a second look at controversial tow tax

Europa

June 19, 2017 12:44 PM

Vehicle owners will from July 1, 2017 be required to pay the mandatory Road Safety Fee each time they renew their road worthy certificate at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).

Kojo Oppong Nkrumah

The government has said that it will take a second look at the mandatory towing charges to take effect on July 1 following public concerns.

Vehicle owners will from next month be required to pay the mandatory Road Safety Fee each time they renew their road worthy certificate at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).

Commercial vehicles and taxis will pay GH¢40, mini buses will pay GH¢80, while heavy duty trucks will pay between GH¢80 and GH¢200 annually, depending on their tonnage.

Non-commercial vehicles are expected to pay GH¢20, while motorbike owners will pay GH¢10 annually.

The NRSC had indicated that the charges are to provide reliable towing service so that when vehicles are abandoned on the road, it can ensure that they are swiftly towed to prevent road accidents.

Many have since kicked against the legislation, saying that they should not be mandatory.

For the Vice President of think tank, IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, Kofi Bentil, the incoming tax is an attempt to steal from Ghanaians.

In a response to the concerns, the Deputy Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, said a series of engagements have been held with various stakeholders to see how to tackle some of the concerns.

He told Accra-based Joy FM that government was “picking the various pieces of all the legislation that have to deal with the [tow tax]...to take a second look at it.”

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