Mr Joseph Bukari Nikpe, the Minister of Transport, has tasked the new boards of the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Authority (DVLA) and the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) to work assiduously to improve road safety compliance to curb fatalities.
The act of indiscipline and non-adherence to road traffic regulations by some drivers, he said, were major causes of road crashes and fatalities in the country. Inaugurating the two institutions’ boards in Accra, on Thursday, Mr Nikpe tasked the members to take decisive actions towards tackling the menace.
“The provisional figures for the first half of the year are very alarming, and without prompt action, the situation could worsen,” he warned.
“As board members, and through your wise counsel, the Authorities are better positioned both financially and technically to address this pressing issue.”
“I, therefore, urge you to work closely with Management to help reduce fatalities on our roads.”
The DVLA Board is chaired by Mr George Spencer Quaye, with members including Mr Julius Neequaye Kotey, Chief Executive Officer, DVLA, Mr Eric Tetteh-Addison, Mr Abraham Amaliba, Director-General of NRSA, Ms Mary Affanyi, and Colonel Faustina Dennison.
The rest are Mr Robinson Kwasi Martey, Mr Kwassem M. Odaymat, Dr Abiba Zakariah, Mr Ali Wahab, Ms Theresa Potakey, and Mr Emmanuel Kofi Netkuni.
Mr Chemah Joshua Yaadang chairs the NRSA Board with members including Messieurs Abraham Amaliba, Derick Amaning Kwarteng, Francis Dormenyo Ahlidza, Mrs Mavis Asare Donkor and Mrs Nana Abuaa Brenya-Okyere. The others are Mr Peter Baba Atiniak, Mr Julius Neequaye Kotey, Ms Freda Ekua Faah, Mrs Naa Shormeh Gyang, and Messieurs Stephen Adu, Oliver Akubia, and George Sarpong.
Mr Nike, addressing institution-specific concerns, said the mandate of the NRSA had been enhanced by the passage of numerous acts like the National Road Safety Authority Act, 2019 (Act 993), and the National Road Safety Authority Regulations, 2022 (L.I. 2468).
In addition to traditional road safety education and awareness campaigns, he said the Authority had also been empowered to ensure compliance with road safety guidelines, measures and procedures within the sector.
The Minister, therefore, charged the new board to provide the necessary guidance and leadership to execute result-oriented and innovative strategies to improve safety on the roads. He urged the DVLA Board to adopt new technologies to meet the emerging transport technological advancements to enable it to better serve the needs of the motoring public.
He said the DVLA must extend its 24-hour operations to the rest of its offices to expand service delivery.Mr Nikpe assured the two boards of the Ministry’s continued support to enable them to effectively discharge their mandate and deliver on the tasks. He cautioned members against assuming the day-to-day operations of the organisations, urging them to stick to their mandates.
“It is my expectation that the board and management will work together as a team to achieve the goals and mission of the Authority,” he added.
The board chairmen assured of their resolve to work together with the management of the organisations to improve their respective fortunes.
“We’ll strive to make decisions that are in the best interest of the Authority and uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability,” Mr Yaadang, Board Chair of NRSA, said.
Mr Quaye, Board Chairman, DVLA, said the board would work to “foster innovation, enhance transparency and deliver exemplary service to the public.”
Source: GNA
