Members of Parliament (MPs) have taken a decision to reject car loans for MPs in the future and demanded the government to take responsibility for the provision of duty vehicles just like it is done for other Article 71 Office holders.
According to the legislators, this has become imperative because of the erroneous interpretation being given to the now ‘infamous car loan’ by the public and the abuses emanating from this.
They argued the car loan has become a subject for ridiculing Parliament even when the existence of the legislature goes to the root of democracy.
They stressed that if Ghanaians cherish democracy, then there is the need to protect Parliament.
The MPs made this known during debate on the report of the Finance Committee on the loan agreement between the government, acting through the Ministry of Finance and the National Investment Bank Limited for US$28 million to finance the purchase of vehicles for members of the 8th Parliament.
Presenting the report of the Committee to the House, Chairman of the Finance Committee, Kwaku Agyeman Kwarteng, called for discontinuation of the Vehicle Loan Arrangement for MPs and members of the Council of State.
The Committee, he said, took note of recent concerns expressed by many sections of the Ghanaian public about the burden the current vehicle loan arrangement for MPs and members of the Council of State impose on the public purse.
He stressed that these legitimate concerns are fueled by the fact that, of all the Article 71 office holders, it is only MPs and Members of the Council of State who benefit from these vehicle loans.
He said, “The Committee took the view that, as representatives of the people, Members of Parliament cannot continue to leave these concerns unattended. That weakens the confidence Ghanaians have in us.”
“We have a responsibility to reflect the values and ideals of the people we represent.”
Seconding the motion, Ranking Member of the Finance Committee, Cassiel Ato Forson warned that Parliamentarians will become engendered specie if the House fails to listen to the public and their concern.
According to him, it is essential therefore that members reject the car loans and demand government provide MPs with duty vehicles as is done for the two other arms of government, the Executive and Judiciary.
In his contribution, MP for Pru, Kwabena Donkor, argued that Parliament is the only true representatives of the people and the only symbolic representative democracy.
He noted that other Article 71 office holders in academia, politics, judiciary and the security agencies among others are provided with vehicles by the state, which also take up the cost of fueling, insurance and maintenance including providing drivers.
“If the people believe that no one should have an official vehicle then they should say so because currently it is only Parliament that bear the cost of the cars they use to perform state business,” he said.
Mr. Kennedy Nyarko Osei, MP for Akim Swedru, called for the Constitution to be respected in term of Article 71 so that the state will provide duty vehicles to MPs.
Members, he said, are not interested about the car loan but how to be mobile to perform Parliament’s work and yet they have become the target of public anger.
He stressed that providing vehicles for MPs is a constitutional imperative and therefore there is no choice but to respect provision.
MP for Bia East, Richard Acheampong noted that the decision had been to reject the loan outright but deductions from salaries of members started in January, which could lead to serious problems.
“Parliament should provide duty-post vehicles for MPs and also take up the cost of drivers, fueling and insurance and lets see who is spending personal resources to do state work.”
“So let’s listen to the public and go the root of Article 71 and all the arrangements provided and ensure that going forward MPs are provided with vehicles rather than loans.”
