THE CUSTODIAN has gathered that about 5000 motorcycles have been registered in Tamale in the northern region by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) just in the month of October, 2021.
The Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) last month embarked on an exercise to arrest individuals flouting the road traffic regulations 2012 (LI2180) and riding without crush helmets and registration numbers.
Though the exercise is still ongoing intermittently in various parts of Greater Tamale, the Northern Regional Manager of the DVLA, Mr Mutawakilu Abdulai, said about 1,700 motorbikes were impounded and registered during the first month.
Additionally, he disclosed about 3,000 people voluntarily visited the DVLA offices and other designated points to register their machines to avoid arrest.
Hitherto, the DVLA Manager noted the authority wouldn’t have been to register even 1,000 motorcycles in a year. He revealed the northern regional capital has a motorcycle population of about 50,000.
“So, as it stands now we target to register another 5,000 motorbikes in this month as well. The exercise has enabled us to generate more revenue for the government of Ghana” he indicated.
Mr Mutawakilu believes there is more to be done to get people to register their vehicles in the region in order to clampdown on the usage of unregistered motorbikes.
He stated this will also reduce the activities of criminals who use unregistered vehicles to operate in the area, adding that, the state agencies will strengthen their collaboration to drastically minimized lawlessness on the major roads of the city.
Life threats
The DVLA Northern Regional Manager however indicated some unscrupulous persons have been issuing threats to them and warned them to seize their horses before becoming victims of the law.
He said, “What we require from the public is their maximum support and cooperation but not those hiding under the cover of darkness to be giving threats. The chiefs and many other opinion leaders and institutions have all given their concern to this exercise and we’re determined ensure things are done right in the e country”.
Meanwhile, the Northern Region Planning Manager of the National Road Safety Authority, Mr Sufianu Abdul Rahaman in a separate interview, said the exercise has been largely successful, explaining the lack of interference and overwhelming support from various personalities at leadership positions has enabled them to restore sanctity and discipline in the area.
He noted the cooperation from the general public since the beginning of the exercise has also been marvelous and further advised motorists to develop the culture of wearing the crush helmets and registering their machines even without the law enforcing institutions coming after them.
“Some individuals are generous enough to admit that, we have sensitized them but being adamant to comply with the law has resulted in their arrest.”
“I always say it looks ugly for someone else to ask you to wear crush helmet to protect yourself – some people will keep their crush helmets home but when they’re arrested, they request to go home and bring them” he asserted.
