Minister of Transport inaugurates DVLA office at Goaso

Goaso (B/A) Sept. 18, GNA - Alhaji Collins Dauda, Minister of Transport at the weekend inaugurated a new office for the Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) in Asunafo North Municipality of the Brong Ahafo Region.

The facility, financed by the Assembly at the cost of GH?900,000 comprise stores, client service room, capture room, accounts office, offices for technical engineer and district licensing officer, a place of convenience and two vehicle inspection bays.

The office will serve Sefwi-Wiawso, Bibiani, Juaboso, Bia and some major towns in Western and Ashanti Regions.

It is the third DVLA office in the Region apart from Sunyani and Techiman. Alhaji Dauda said the opening of the office was part of the decentralisation of DVLA operations to meet the increasing number of vehicles in the country.

Alhaji Dauda, who is Member of Parliament for Asutifi South, blamed road accidents on 93road user behaviour", incompetence and bad judgement by drivers.

He advised drivers to comply with speed limits, avoid driving when tired, check their tyre pressure and make maintenance of vehicles a regular habit.

The Minister asked personnel of the DVLA to work diligently and check the activities of middlemen Goro Boys" who woo prospective customers with their services.

Alhaji Dauda announced that a new road traffic regulation would soon be placed before Parliament, which among other things include probation and counterpart licenses.

He urged the DVLA personnel to collaborate with the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit of the Ghana Police Service to minimise road accident fatalities.

Mr Justice Morkporkpor Yao Amegashie, Chief Executive Officer of DVLA said the Authority exist to ensure best practices for licensing drivers and vehicles to promote road safety and environmental sustainability.

He said the vision of the DVLA 93is to be a reputable organisation with internationally accepted standards for driver and vehicle licensing".

Mr Amegashie said the strategic plan of the Authority for 2011-2015 has been developed and approved by the board of the Authority.

He said the United Nations has declared 2011-2020 as a Global Decade of Action for Road Safety.

Alhaji Mohammed Kwaku Doku, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) noted that government had created an enabling environment for the private sector to play an important role in the transport industry.

He expressed the hope that investors would respond to the initiative by establishing driver training schools in the Municipality and other sister districts to train the youth desirous of taking up driving as a profession.

The MCE commended Nana Kwasi Bosomprah I, Paramount Chief of Goaso for allocating free land for the project.