Accra, Dec. 16, GNA - The Ministry of Transport, on Wednesday presented enforcement equipment worth 60,000 Ghana cedis to the Motor Transport and Traffic Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service in Accra. The equipment procured by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), include reflective vest, tyre tread gauge and alco meters to facilitate operations of the MTTU.

Mr. Mike Hammah, Minister of Transport, presenting the equipment, said available statistics by the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) revealed that April and December were the most accident prone months, while drunk driving contributed to 25 per cent of road accidents. He said the provision of the equipment was to support personnel of the MTTU to perform their duties effectively.

"Indeed funding of road safety measures and activities is not a cost but an investment. By purchasing equipment for the MTTU, the Ministry through DVLA is investing in saving human lives," Mr. Hammah said. He said since the world was a global village issues concerning road accidents needed a globally concerted effort adding that decisions on road safety must focus on the past, present and the future. Mr Hammah said that road safety was a collective responsibility between government agencies non-governmental organisations, civil societies, the media and local communities.

He said that the Ministry was instituting an annual award scheme to reward lorry stations that would not record any road accident during any particular year.

Mr. Justice M.Y. Amegashie, Acting Chief Executive of DVLA, said the Authority would acquire trolley jacks and other equipment to improve the capacity of its task force.

He said the DVLA in collaboration with the MTTU was able to apprehend people driving without valid driving licences and cautioned drivers against driving with expired licences.

"The DVLA and MTTU are poised to foster, develop and ensure a sustainable partnership to improve safety on the road," he added. Mr. Paul Quaye, Inspector General of Police (IGP), receiving the equipment, thanked the DVLA for the gesture that would go a long way to enforce law and maintain peace. He appealed to other stakeholders to assist the Police to operate efficiently and effectively.