Rawlings Returns State Vehicles

Four vehicles, which were in the possession of former President Jerry Rawlings, have been returned to the office of the Chief of Staff. This is in compliance with a directive from the Chief of Staff for the vehicles to be returned to the Castle. The special aide to the former President, Victor Smith says the former President is now left with only one chauffeur-driven state vehicle for his office and his entire household.

He made it clear that ?for the entire period that the vehicles were in our possession, the cost incurred in maintaining them were borne by the ex-President without any assistance from the state.?

Meanwhile, the office of the former President has confirmed taking delivery of four Toyota Land cruiser vehicles but explained that friends of Jerry Rawlings paid for them. The vehicles became an issue when the ex-President appeared before a security panel enquiring into the real intentions behind his recent statements and actions.

A government statement said the security agencies wanted to know whether the importation of the vehicles has anything to do with his alleged treasonable statements. Aides to the former President told JOY FM that the customs duty of the vehicles said to be about 500 million cedis ($62,500) was also paid for by those who shipped it. They also denied reports that the vehicles are either bullet proof or armoured plated. Meanwhile, the former President is expected to respond to government?s statement on his interrogation by the BNI and other matters on Tuesday.