The Wassa East Member of Parliament, Isaac Adjei Mensah has clarified the Minority’s stance on the Ministry of Transport’s recent submission of a Legislative Instrument (L.I) to Parliament, which seeks to amend portions of the Road Traffic Regulations 2012.
The proposed amendments to Regulation 74 of LI 2180 aim to grant Members of Parliament (MPs) and Ministers of State privileges previously reserved for emergency and specialised vehicles, including installing sirens or bells as warning appliances on their vehicles.
However, 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.
Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem on Wednesday, Mr Mensah explained that, the timing of the proposal is inappropriate due to the election year and existing national economic challenges.
He also explained that, the Minority in Parliament decided to distance themselves from the L. I following significant public backlash.
“The Ministry brought the LI to Parliament for the amendment of traffic regulations to give MPs the power to escape traffic and get to meetings on time. But after backlash from the populace, the Minority decided to distance themselves from the LI. If people say they do not want it we have to stop.
“There are more problems to be solved in the country rather than MPs using a siren, and that is why the minority withdrew. We have listened to the people, and at the right time, it can be brought back up,” he stated.
The Wassa East MP further reiterated that, MPs are in Parliament to serve the people, and the decision to withdraw the L. I was made in the best interest of the public.
“The government Majority and the opposition Minority discuss laws before they are passed. If there are problems and the public is against it, withdrawing it is the best thing to do to maintain peace in the country,” he said.