Dr. Nicolas Zangina, a member of the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) communications team in the Upper East Region, has voiced strong criticism of the use of V8 vehicles by Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) under the Akufo-Addo administration, labeling it as unnecessary extravagance that burdened the nation’s economy.
Speaking on A1 Radio, Dr. Zangina accused former President Akufo-Addo, regional ministers, and DCEs of mismanaging state resources while failing to address pressing economic challenges. He cited examples, including the use of high-consumption V8 vehicles for routine activities in rural areas.
“Imagine in Garu, my own constituency, the DCE was using a V8 just to attend local functions. This was unnecessary extravagance when DCEs were failing to improve the economy,” he argued. Dr. Zangina suggested that patrol or pick-up vehicles would have been more practical and economical alternatives.
The NDC communicator further alleged that many of these officials “slept on their jobs” despite having access to luxurious resources, which he claimed contributed to the economic hardships faced by Ghanaians today.
In response, Peter Ayinbisa, a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), refuted the claims, clarifying that the vehicles used by MMDCEs were upgraded Nissan vehicles with fuel-efficient engines, not V8s. “The claim that these cars consume excessive fuel is baseless and misleading,” Ayinbisa stated.
Call for Change Under Mahama’s Administration
Dr. Zangina has also urged President John Mahama to avoid repeating what he perceives as mistakes made under the Akufo-Addo administration regarding vehicle selection for political appointees. He proposed that the Mahama government adopt more affordable and efficient vehicles, such as pick-up trucks, patrols, or Navara models, for appointees at the local government level.
“At the local level, I will appeal that President Mahama should not repeat the same mistake of former President Akufo-Addo and get his appointees to pick-ups, patrols, or Navaras for their day-to-day activities instead of V8 vehicles,” Dr. Zangina stated.
He argued that this approach could significantly reduce government expenditure and complement efforts to manage the economic challenges inherited from the previous administration. “It will not only reduce the expenditure burden, but it will also support measures like cutting down betting taxes, the E-levy, and Covid-19 expenditures,” he added.
Acknowledging the current poor state of the vehicles used by DCEs, Dr. Zangina emphasized that adopting practical and economical alternatives would reflect a commitment to prudent spending as the nation works towards economic recovery.
His remarks align with ongoing conversations about fiscal responsibility and the need for cost-effective solutions in government operations.
Source: A1Radioonline.com | 101.1 MHz | Moses Apiah | Ghana
