‘Trotro’ drivers’ strike enters day 2 today

The members of the Committed Taxi Drivers Association have vowed to continue with their strike on Tuesday due to the arrest of some of their members.

According to the group, they have the right to strike because the treatment being meted out to them by the Driver and Vehicular Licensing Authority (DVLA) is unfair and discriminatory.

[contextly_sidebar id=”gekeuuQ0vHEYXFDOuBICiYHxgJVhx0Cu”]“We’ve heard that they are arresting some of the protestors and so we are going to extend it to tomorrow too and we are capable of doing it,” the spokesperson for the group, Charles Danso said on Eyewitness News.

Thousands of commuters were left stranded on Monday following the strike by the drivers.

Some drivers also mounted road blocks in some parts of Accra which led to increased vehicular traffic.

The Police subsequently arrested about 20 of them and they are to be arraigned before court soon.

But the angry drivers say the DVLA must revise its new policy which demands that seat belts for passengers must be fixed in public vehicles and the renewal of car registration numbers should be done every quarter.

The new rules also require that all drivers must write the computerized examination before licenses will be issued.

The DVLA has also issued new biometric road worthy sticker all aimed at reduced motor accidents to save lives.

Mr. Danso however argued that not all drivers have had basic education therefore; forcing them to write computerized examination is uncalled for.

According to him, accidents do not occur because the driver is an illiterate.

“It is not illiterate drivers who are killing people,” adding that Okada drivers should rather be blamed for the numerous deaths that occur on the roads.

Mr. Danso also charged the Transport Ministry to fix all roads and repair all traffic lights and accidents will reduce.

“They [DVLA] should go out there and educate Ghanaians. They should repair the roads and fixed the traffic lights which have been off for over a year. They should not blame the drivers. Have you seen any speed limit on the N1 highway? From Abeka Lapaz to Kwame Nkrumah circle, have you seen any speed limit on the road?” he asked.

He indicated that the drivers have sought permission from the owners of the vehicles therefore, the strike will continue.

He nonetheless stated that they will call of their strike depending on what the DVLA and the Transport Ministry will tell them at a scheduled press conference expected to take place tomorrow.

By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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