The Parliamentary Select Committee on Roads and Transport is urging the Committed Drivers’ Union to exercise restraint over threats to go on strike to protest the introduction of the Bus Rapid Transport service.
Chairman of the Committee, Theophilus Tetteh Chai in an interview with Citi News said government consulted all stakeholders ahead of the commissioning of the BRT service.
He said it is not too late for the aggrieved drivers formally lodge their complaints to the service implementer and to have them addressed.
“An extensive consultation has been made with the various transport unions, but if they think there are some challenges that needs to be addressed, it is never too late,” Mr. Tetteh Chai said.
Driver union concerns
Last week, a group of commercial vehicle drivers known as the Committed Drivers Union (CDA) threatened to embark on a strike to protest what they describe as attempts to destroy their livelihoods.
Spokesperson for the Union, Francis Appiah, in an interview with Citi News said “the unfair introduction of the BRT, will hinder their operations and could affect our livelihood.”
Among their concerns is the plan to relocate drivers from their current bus terminals, especially those in major commercial areas.
Francis Appiah explained that, “commercial drivers at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle will be moved to the new lorry station, while commercial drivers operating from the Tema Station will be relocated to the hajj park. The 37 military lorry station will be moved to the Kawukudi Park at Mamobi.”
Drivers’ agitation over BRT system needless
The Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive (GAPTE); implementer of the RBT project have described the agitation by the drivers as needless as collaboration will be maintained with the transport unions to augment the transport services in Accra.
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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana