DVLA suspends mandatory First Aid kit for new vehicles

He Governing Board of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has suspended the mandatory “First Aid Kit” levy following public outrage.

Motorists were last Tuesday greeted with shock when officials at the DVLA directed them to pay an additional fee of GH¢108 for first aid kits when they went to the authority to register their vehicles.

Some motorists who spoke to the Daily Graphic in separate interviews were visibly upset with the turn of events.

But a statement signed by the Board of the DVLA, Mr Frank A. Davies, and issued in Accra yesterday said the authority had taken note of the public outcry and subsequently decided to suspend the exercise indefinitely.

“The Governing Board of the DVLA acknowledges that there has not been the necessary public education, discussion and sensitisation with relevant stakeholders,” it said.

It, accordingly, apologised to the public for any inconvenience occasioned.

Background

The DVLA, from January 2, 2018, charged motorists GH¢108 for First Aid kits which many argued were being sold on the market at prices ranging between GH¢10 and GH¢21.

A motorist, Kofi Manu (not real name), told the Daily that he had gone to the DVLA office to register his vehicle but was told he had to pay the additional GH¢108.

“I was both shocked and upset because I found the figure ridiculous.

Similar kits are sold in traffic at GH¢10. I had no choice but to pay,” he said.

Another motorist, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “I did not have enough money on me. In fact, I did not plan for the additional GH¢108 and so I had to leave and return the following day to register my vehicle.”

Social media was lit with posts protesting the introduction of the mandatory first aid kits.

Some vowed to criticise the policy until it was suspended.

Some lawyers asked if the DVLA management had sought the approval of the board before introducing the policy.

Others wondered if Parliament and other stakeholders had been informed of the new policy. Some suggested the DVLA should rather make it mandatory for vehicle owners to obtain first aid kits from other sources before their vehicles would be registered.

The Minority in Parliament insisted the policy was arbitrary and needed to be immediately scrapped.

Justification

Justifying the introduction of the policy earlier, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the DVLA, Mr Francis Asamoah Tuffour, had said the introduction of the levy was aimed at safeguarding the safety of road users.

He said research indicated that about half the number of the vehicles in the country did not have first aid kits.

He denied suggestions that the charge was introduced by the DVLA to fleece drivers in order to raise revenue for the DVLA.

Mr Tuffour also clarified that the GH¢108 covered other items, beside the first aid kit.

He claimed there had been a public announcement before the introduction of the policy.

Writer’s email: mabel.baneseh@graphic.com.gh