The Chief Executive Officer of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Julius Neequaye Kotey, has described rejecting a GH¢4 million bribe as the most difficult decision since assuming office.
Speaking on Starr FM on Friday, September 18, Mr Kotey said the offer came during efforts to close loopholes he identified in the issuance of temporary number plates to vehicles cleared from the port.
He said his review of DVLA records showed the highest number of temporary “DP” plates issued in a month was about 1,900, despite large volumes of vehicles being released from the port.
“When asked about the most difficult decision that he has taken since he assumed office, he said, the rejection of the 4 million Ghana cedis bribe,” he recounted.
He said he went to the port in February with his deputy, Foster Akwasi Asante, and discovered leakages and loopholes in the system.
“I realised they had assigned 12 companies to be issuing the plates on behalf of DVLA. I took a very bold decision to cancel all the 12 companies. And then we rather employed contract staff to do that project on behalf of DVLA,” he explained.
According to him, the Authority introduced a one-time sticker system to replace the reusable plates, which increased the number of vehicles processed from about 1,900 to 7,000 in the first month, with the lowest monthly figure now around 15,000.
He said the reforms helped the DVLA generate an additional GH¢126 million for government last year.
Mr Kotey added that the Authority is pursuing a digitalised number plate system and engaging companies in China, Poland and Germany that specialise in manufacture and embossing of number plates.
Source: Citinewsroom / Patricia Boakye
