Commercial transport operators have rejected the National Roads and Safety Authority’s (NRSA) declaration that using Toyota Voxy vehicles for commercial purposes is illegal. This rejection raises questions about the credibility and accuracy of the Authority’s report. The pushback follows the NRSA’s announcement on Wednesday, April 7, stating that Toyota Voxy vehicles used for commercial transport operate outside the law due to regulatory breaches and safety concerns, particularly regarding their right-hand-drive configuration.
David Agboado, the Public Relations Officer for the Commercial Transport Operators Union, strongly criticised the NRSA’s findings, claiming they do not accurately reflect the realities of the transport sector. Speaking on Eyewitness News on Citi FM on Thursday, April 9, he called the decision “bogus” and argued that the research lacks credibility, as it failed to involve key stakeholders.
“The research that they claim to have conducted is not credible. They did not conduct proper research; it appears to be something they simply thought about and wrote down, as the people who were supposed to be involved in the research are us—the transport operators,” he stated.
Agboado further suggested that the timing of the report may be an attempt to divert public attention from an upcoming increase in transport fares driven by rising fuel prices. Meanwhile, NRSA maintains that its directive is based on safety and regulatory compliance. The Authority insists that many Toyota Voxy vehicles currently in use do not meet legal requirements for commercial operations in Ghana.
This position is supported by a technical working group tasked with assessing the vehicles’ suitability, which concluded that their continued commercial use poses potential risks to road users.
Source: Patricia Boakye
