70% of private vehicles in Ashanti are registered through ‘back door’

It has emerged that about 70 percent of private vehicles in the Ashanti Region are registered by the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Authority (DVLA) office without going through the due process of inspection and testing at the Private Vehicle Testing Station.
 

At a press conference in Kumasi, the Director of Administration, VITO, Mr. Samuel Konadu alleged the registrations are done through middlemen, popularly known as ‘Goro boys’. with the collaboration of DVLA officials in the region for a cash percentage. 

He explained that testing and inspection of the yet to be registered private cars and others which are due for renewal of roadworthy certificates is part of the DVLA’s efforts and measures to reduce road accidents and crashes in the country.

The purpose of inspecting and testing vehicles is to ensure their roadworthiness and also to facilitate the safety of car owners, drivers and passengers.  

The inspection and testing processes include identification, registry, payment for inspection and testing, visual and automated testing, printing and certification of roadworthy certificates.

The visual testing comprises windscreen, wipers, tyres, wheel-nuts and bolts, seat-belts, number plates and seats; while the automated testing is made up of emission test, alignment, shock absorbers, front rear and rear brakes test, as well as the lighting system.

However, it appears most private vehicles taken to the DVLA office in Kumasi for registration evade undergoing these rigorous inspection and testing processes.

Manager of the Vehicle Inspection and Technical Organisation (VITO), S-Class Services, has alleged that the activities of some corrupt officials of DVLA at its Ashanti regional office is what has been encouraging this unlawful act. 

VITO S-Class Services is mandated by the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Authority (DVLA) under the Ministry of Transport to test the roadworthiness of vehicles and issue roadworthy certificates to vehicle owners.

The Administrative Director noted that the process is meant to avert the carnage on roads and call officials to order so as to save lives and property.

He said private car owners who go to the DVLA for roadworthy certificates or registration before coming for roadworthy certificates at VITO breach the processes and can be prosecuted.

He said the security agencies, especially the Motor Transport and Traffic Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service, are hunting for such dubious people who commit those acts and will deal with them when apprehended.

Source:B&FT