The General Transport Petroleum and Chemical Workers Union (GTPCWU) of TUC in the Republic of Ghana has condemned the action by section of drivers in Ashaiman who are protesting against the decision by State Transport Corporation (STC), to operate a transport terminal in the Ashaiman Municipality.
According to GTPCWU, it has taken notice of numerous attacks on STC by some drivers’ union anytime STC tries to establish terminals across the country.
“GTPCWU is of the view that STC is well-equipped with good buses and for that matter, can transport passengers safely to their destinations. Passengers get stranded looking for vehicles to travel due to insufficient vehicles being operated by the private drivers’ unions.
“Additionally, some private unions fail to ensure good maintenance culture of their vehicles, culminating into various accidents on our roads,” the union said in a statement signed by its National President, Bernard Owusu.
It follows a protest on Thursday by Ashaiman Municipal Operators Coordinating Council.
The group said it got a hint of STC’s intention to establish a terminal in Ashaiman and so wrote to the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly over the matter.
The group explained that the MCE, Albert Boakye Okyere assured them to remain calm since it was not going to happen.
According to the group, it came as a surprise when the Managing Director of STC, Nana Akomea, during an interview on CTV, said the state transport was going to establish a terminal in Ashaiman.
GPTCWU urged the private transport operators to bear in mind that “we are in competition and they must also acquire good vehicles to meet the STC standard.
“Though we believe in the growth of the private sector, we are of the view that government agencies such as STC must also survive.”
It cautioned the drivers unions to desist from their actions that seek to oppose government agencies.
It also called on the government to ensure that Ayalolo buses, that are idle at some district assembies, are back on the roads to ease the pressure in the transport sector.
