Senior Vice President of IMANI-Africa, Kofi Bentil, has said the only reason the Legislative Instrument (LI) allowing parliamentarians, judges and other public officials to drive with sirens and without speed limit, was withdrawn was due to public pressure.
He emphasised the importance of citizens constantly monitoring politicians’ actions, warning that failure to do so could result in such measures being implemented.
The controversial LI, which sought to amend parts of the Road Traffic Regulations 2012, was withdrawn from Parliament.
The Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, withdrew the LI on be half of the transport minister, citing public and stakeholder concerns. He added that the withdrawal was necessary after extensive engagement with leadership.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Mr Kofi Bentil said“LI 21, 18 in particular had been abused, and we had to fight. Do you remember when the toll levy was passed, in the same LI? I had to get up. IMANI, we had to get up and fight for it to be repelled; otherwise, we would all be paying taxes now to a private person. So, I am happy it has been repelled, but it tells us something: the process of lawmaking and leadership does not only require MPs but all of us to be vigilant. And people were aware that people put that in and those people who put those in, mark them and vote them out”.
Mr Bentil said it does not matter if the MPs apologize, they should be marked and removed from office.
He emphasised that it is important because someone had the mindset to propose this measure.
Mr Bentil noted that instead of solving the problem for the public’s collective good, parliamentarians sought to excuse themselves using state funds.
“You want to drive above the speed limit. You want to use a siren. Let me tell you why it matters. If this law had passed, some people would have died because some reckless MP would be driving over the speed limit, using a siren, and would kill somebody, and they would say it was within the law”.
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