Tension is brewing between two driver unions in Akatsi with some accusing the District Chief Executive (DCE) of the area, Samuel Wuadi of restricting them from working during this yuletide.
[contextly_sidebar id=”eNqVGA03mS8fgKO8O5PwBDICyL9OHOjM”]The protracted dispute between the two rival transport unions; GPRTU and Cooperative Society is getting out of hand resulting in brutalities and blood sheds.
The latest development followed a purported breach of directives from DISEC which gave equal access to drivers of the two unions to use all the routes in the area.
There was a near bloodbath when it was reported that some thugs from GPRTU, attempted to prevent drivers of Cooperative Transport Society from picking up passengers from the station, even though both parties had early on agreed to share these routes.
The situation resulted in the exchange of blows between members of the two unions.
However, the cooperative society is accusing the DCE, Samuel Wuadi of attempts to manipulate the implementation of the DISEC’s directives by taking sides with the GPRTU where he once worked as a secretary.
They are alleging that the DCE through one of his gimmicks, influenced the decisions of a committee formed to implement the DISEC resolutions.
The cooperative union said the implementation committee which was constituted to among other things, come out with workable solutions to solve the problem rather ended up favouring the GPRTU members.
The committee chaired by Godwin Agboada, the NCCE Director of Akatsi District incredibly allotted “deplorable roads” to the cooperatives and further restricted them from plying major roads.
The drivers say the Director’s alleged unfair handling of the case as the chairman of the committee drew the attention of the NCCE headquarters in Accra where consequently, a letter dated 10th December 2014 was sent to the DCE compelling him to withdraw their staff from the committee in order to protect the credibility of the commitee.
“The DCE has been so insensitive to us; the cooperative because of his affiliation with the GPRTU ‘’the PRO of the union, Emmanuel Dayi told Citi News.
He added that they are willing to abide by the directives of DISEC which allowed them to use the routes equally.
The frustrated drivers who have been home for more than a month are calling on government and other stakeholders to intervene since their livelihood is being taken away especially during the yuletide.
Meanwhile, Samuel Wuadi has denied masterminding the tension between the rival unions. He said his office has always encouraged the two unions to work in harmony for the good of the district.
“They don’t have any genuine concern because the assembly did not stop them from operating. They have been operating from time immemorial. I need IGF so I can’t stop them working; the more they work they I would get my revenue”
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By: King Norbert Akpablie/citifmonline.com/Ghana