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MPs’ use of sirens on roads will undermine fairness – Lecturer raises concerns

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A lecturer at the Bolgatanga Technical University in the Upper East Region, Awineyesema Abiire, has raised concerns over the recently shelved amendment to the LI Road Traffic regulations, which would have allowed Members of Parliament (MPs) to use sirens and be exempt from speed limits.

Despite Dominic Ayine, Chairman of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee of Parliament, taking full responsbility for the situation, some Ghanaians are still raising concerns.

In a detailed write-up, Mr. Abiire, who doubles as an Assemblyman for the Zorko Gamboringo electoral area in the Bongo District, questioned the validity and necessity of this proposal, arguing that if passed, it would undermine the principles of fairness and equality before the law.

Drawing from literature, Mr. Abiire referenced Nigerian playwright Ola Rotimi’s work, “Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again,” which addressed issues of fairness and equity in socio-economic contexts. He likened the unchecked privileges of MPs to the untamed behavior depicted in Rotimi’s book.

“That untamed husband who has the right, liberty, willpower, and unbridled appetite to go ‘mad’ at the least opportunity is likened to the executive wing who has recently gone ‘mad’ in the scheme to sell our SSNIT hotels. It must be noted that this madness cuts across successive presidents in the Fourth Republic,” Mr. Abiire wrote.

Mr. Abiire further emphasized the role of the legislature, as outlined in Chapter 10 of the 1992 Constitution, in protecting and preserving the sanctity of the executive, upholding moral standards, and ensuring justice. He expressed disappointment in the current trajectory of the legislative body, suggesting that the pursuit of civility and equality before the law is being eroded by the very individuals elected to uphold these values.

“It is both incredible and incredulous to understand how the roles of MPs fall within the definition of emergency services. If our MPs and Judges join the ‘mad’, what will become of our country?” Mr. Abiire questioned, highlighting the incongruity of MPs being granted the same privileges as emergency services.

He argued further that allowing MPs these exemptions would set a dangerous precedent. “When we agreed to their tax-free huge emoluments, they brought their spouses to join, not in baking the cake but in mutilating the cake. When we gave them ‘interest-free’ loans to buy cars, they came looking for speed limit exemption. Their spouses, girlfriends, personal assistants, secretaries, etc. will soon join,” he cautioned.

Reflecting on former MP Ras Mubarak’s example of riding a bicycle to Parliament, Abiire suggested a return to more humble means of transportation for MPs. “Let us take our cars and give them bicycles. If they need sirens on their bicycles, we would not have a problem. What citizens must do is to vaccinate the MPs against ‘madness’,” he concluded.

Source: A1Radioonline.Com|101.1MHZ|Moses Apiah|Bolgatanga|

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