He finds it worrying that MPs would even consider legislation to enforce their rights to use sirens and drive devoid of speed limits.

In an exclusive interview with JoySports’ Atsu Tamakloe, expressed his bewilderment over the development.

“Look at this sort of thing that came up a couple of days ago, that MPs should be given sirens. And I sat down and I said, what is happening to this country?” Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe remarked.

The Ministry of Transport had previously laid the LI before Parliament to amend portions of the Road Traffic Regulations 2012. If passed, it would grant Members of Parliament (MPs) and Ministers of State privileges typically reserved for emergency and specialized vehicles.

Specifically, the amendment to Regulation 74 of LI 2180 would allow sirens or bells to be fitted as warning appliances on certain vehicles, including those owned by Supreme Court justices, MPs, and Ministers of State.

He questioned the necessity of such privileges, pointing out that even Chief Justices in the past did not require sirens to carry out their duties.

“If they know they’re going to court at eight, they leave their house at six. Do you understand me? What is special about MPs? What is special about High Court judges that they should be given police guards?” he asked.

Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe also highlighted the current confusion on the roads, where even ordinary vehicles have sirens, exacerbating the situation.

He concluded by expressing his belief in an imminent change in leadership, although he was uncertain about who would lead this change.

“There is only one thing I will say, just as the lecturer said last time, me, I know there will be a change but who will lead, I don’t know. Definitely, this party in government now will not be, there will be a change.”

Meanwhile, the controversial L.I. seeking to amend portions of the Road Traffic Regulations 2012 has been withdrawn in Parliament.

The Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, withdrew the LI on behalf of the Transport Minister, citing public and stakeholder concerns.

He added that “the withdrawal became necessary based on extensive engagement with leadership.”

He further announced, “Mr. Speaker, I would like to move that the Road Traffic Amendment 2024, which was laid on Friday, June 14, be withdrawn… it is so withdrawn.”

A founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, is not confident in the duo put forth in the party’s bid to secure victory in the December polls.

According to him, no genuine election will see NPP flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, with running mate, Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh, emerge successful.

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The amendment, which was met with massive backlash from Ghanaians and the minority caucus, was part of the L. I on Road Traffic Regulations Amendment presented to the committee.

In an interview on Citi FM, Ayine clarified that the amendment was just a proposal and not a compulsory directive to the Transport Minister.

He acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the proposal and accepted responsibility on behalf of his committee, stating that he held no position on the matter when it was submitted.

“I never held any position,” Dominic Ayine said.

He added, “The point is that it came before my committee and I’m the chairman of the committee so I will take responsibility on behalf of my members. As Chairman of the committee, I take responsibility for everything that the committee has done.”

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, the Gushegu MP stated that the Transport Ministry was happy to withdraw the L.I. because it was not in support of it in the first place.

“The Ministry of Transport and the government had no appetite at all for including Ministers, MPs to use sirens and drive without speed limit. If we wanted that, we would have done that in 2017. It is not some six months to elections that anybody wants to give some privileges to MPs and Ministers of state.

“So these provisions were not from the government, it came from Parliament and nobody among the Subsidiary Legislation Committee can say, it isn’t from there and we are happy to be withdrawing this L.I.,” he stated.

READ ALSO:

• Dominic Ayine takes responsibility for proposed LI on road traffic amendment
• Wassa East MP clarifies the Minority’s stance on controversial L.I allow MPs use sirens

The Ashanti Regional Manager of the National Ambulance Service, Sommik Duut Miilon, has cautioned the public against the country’s abuse of sirens, saying it could attract sanctions.

“A person who contravenes this regulation commits an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than 20 penalty units or a term of imprisonment of not more than 30 days or both.

“So if you use the siren when you are not permitted, this is the penalty there is,” he said.

Speaking to JoyNews, the regional manager revealed the unlawful action by a section of the motoring public is affecting its smooth operations.

“Normally on weekends, you see a lot of V8 [Vehicles] on sirens, I mean the drivers are fed up with the siren and so when they hear the siren they don’t know whether it is an emergency or somebody is using the siren for his personal gains and all that so it’s really a challenge,” he said.

He stressed the abuse in the system has contributed to some drivers failing to heed and pave way for Ambulances even on their sirens.

“Now people don’t know the difference between the ambulance and then ordinary cars using the sirens,” he added.

The Service has, however, efficiently responded to over four thousand cases in the Ashanti Region, since the beginning of the year.

The use of the siren is reserved for an emergency, hence earmarked by specific institutions such as the Ghana National Fire Service, the Ambulance Service and the Police Service.

Meanwhile, some drivers and pedestrians, sharing their sentiments with JoyNews agreed that unauthorised use of the siren must not be tolerated.

“I get so much displeased when I see these things as if I am less important because some supposed rich men turn on their sirens to avoid getting stuck in traffic,” a driver said.

“What I know is that maybe if the president, Speaker of Parliament, Vice President, or maybe the police are coming, then it’s fine.

“But per my observations, just ordinary people using SUVs misuse it to avoid traffic,” a pedestrian also noted.