186 vehicles for Magistrates, Judges

Accra, Feb. 6, GNA - PHC Motors Limited on Tuesday handed over 186 vehicles estimated at 2.83 million dollars to the Judicial Service to be allocated to Magistrates, Judges and staff of the Service.

The International Commercial Bank (ICB) is financing the programme, including 65 safari cross-country 4x4 double cabins, and saloon cars supplied on hire purchase.

Receiving the vehicles at the forecourt of the Supreme Court, Mrs Regina Apotsi, Judicial Secretary, said history had been made because the vision of the Service to take justice to the doorstep of all was being implemented.

Mrs Aposti said one of the components of good governance and rule of law was access to justice adding: "This cannot be achieved without the empowerment of Judges and Magistrates to be able to move to all the courts they are assigned to deliver justice."

She said for the past two years modalities had been put in place by the Chief Justice to acquire vehicles for Judges and Magistrates to enhance their mobility.

Mrs Apotsi thanked ICB and PHC saying strict directives had been given for deduction to be made in accordance with an agreement. Mr John Kofi Mensah, General Manager, ICB, said one of the Bank's priorities was to share its profit with its clients. Mr Mensah urged other corporate bodies to take advantage of ICB's competitive auto financing loans to provide their employees with vehicles.

He said the beneficiaries of the vehicle were expected to pay back between five and seven years. Mr Paul K. Pepera, Managing Director of PHC Motors Limited, urged users of the cars to cultivate the culture of maintenance.