Captain Smart has invoked curses on Council of State members intending to go for the proposed land cruisers to be given them by the state.
He says the chiefs especially should not go for such luxury whilst their people are battling basic necessities in their communities. He says rather, they should advocate for government to provide amenities with such monies for their people.
Speaking on the YouTube live streamed Smart TV, he averred “any council of State member that will accept this car whilst there are poor roads and other infrastructure in your area, may the car and the gods of your land kill you.”
He added “we’ll start cursing all politicians that loot the state coffers because we’ve realised that’s what you fear. If you have sense, you won’t take these cars. Weren’t you given cars four years ago?”
Also, Mr. Smart says doctors should be accorded same privileges given to Members of Parliament if government doesn’t rescind its decision of subsidising 60% cost of vehicles for the Legislature and the Council of State.
Background
Government on Tuesday July 6, 2021, laid before Parliament the $28 million interest-free facility with the National Investment Bank for lawmakers which they are supposed to repay within four years.
A $3.5 million separate facility from the same bank has also been laid for the purchase of vehicles by members of the council of state.
“The repayment of the facility by the beneficiaries shall be made from deduction at source by the Parliamentary Service of Ghana to the NIB. The repayment by the beneficiaries and the Government of Ghana shall be made at the end of every month for the duration of the agreement,” the loan agreement presented to Parliament by the Finance Minister said.
It emerged that government will absorb 60% of the loan being granted to Members of Parliament and Council of State to purchase the vehicles.
The state will also pay the interests that will accrue on the loans to be given to these public officeholders under Article 71 of the constitution.
This means both the Members of the 8th Parliament and Members of the Council of State will have to pay back only 40% of the loans without interest.
This was contained in the emolument committee report which has been approved by Parliament. According to the document, each member of these two bodies is to receive a loan of $100,000 for the purchase of a vehicle.