“Gov’t Officials Must Have Own Cars”

The honourable Member of Parliament (MP) for Subin, Mr. Isaac Osei, says it is high time all government or public officials are encouraged to own cars, instead of relying on government. He said people across the spectrum should be encouraged to own their own cars, and in most jurisdictions, duty post allowance paid to them.

The Subin MP said the Speaker, Ministers and Judges, like MPs, must be offered loan facilities, and duty post allowances paid. “That way, people would take proper care of the cars while at the same time cutting down cost of maintenance of these cars by the State,” he told The Chronicle, regarding his views on the grant of $50,000 car loans to legislators. He as well noted that it would go a long way to end the car seizing ritual when there is a change of government or one retires from public office, because it would not be morally right for anyone to confiscate someone’s own vehicle, just because there is a change of government. Hon. Osei said the tradition that government officials, particularly Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCE’s), are provided with means of transport for official duties, should be discouraged in their own interest.

Under the proposed arrangement, where loans are offered, no public official would have the option not to own a car or pay for it, because it would be facilitated by the banks which would ensure that the facility is serviced at source. Asked about the necessity for every MP to access the car loan, in the face that others might have served two terms, Mr. Osei said all MPs need at least two cars, and most probably a third one for domestic chores. He advised that all MPs go for the car loan to facilitate their work in the constituencies.

source: The Chronicle