Abossey Okai Tyre Dealers Angry with Govt

Second-hand tyre dealers at Abossey Okai are strongly opposing government�s directive to ban importation of second-hand car tyres into the country by the end of this September. The directive which was made known by May Obiri Yeboah, Executive Director of the National Roads Safety Commission on the grounds of safety and compliance with traffic regulations is expected to affect the business of the second-hand dealers, hence their negative posture. Making their case to �The Independent newspaper, some second-hand tyre merchants contended that brand new tyres cannot be compared with the second-hand ones in several respects including costs and quality. �If you get a good second-hand tyre, it can even last more than brand new ones�, Ibrahim Osei, second-hand dealer said. �Demand for used tyres is high compared to brand new ones since most drivers cannot afford the latter, another dealer added. �We will stop at nothing to prevent the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) and the government from implementing the directive. It will kill our business�, Osei disclosed. Meanwhile, dealers of brand new tyres are quite happy with the government�s intention. George Nana Kwame Obeng, a dealer in brand new tyres opined, the use of second-hand tyre is a major cause of accidents on our road since �majority of the tyres are worn-out even before they are brought from Europe�. Their cheap nature is what makes Ghanaians go for them, Kwame Obeng added. Brand new tyres though expensive, are more durable in comparison with the home-used or second-hand ones. It appears that merchants on opposite ends have resolved to woo government in their favor. Time will tell whether or not the National Road Safety Commission will relax its stance or will implement anyway.