Scores of commercial drivers on Thursday, October 7, 2021 went on a demonstration to register their displeasure over the deplorable state of their lorry station at Assin Fosu Rawlings park in the Central Region.
The drivers, who were cladded in red armbands and attires, singing war songs, blocked all entry points to the lorry station, bringing commercial activities to a standstill.
According to them, the bad nature of the station was negatively affecting their operations therefore want management of Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Progressive Transport Owners’ Association (PROTOA) and government to do something about the situation.
Speaking with Kwame Owusu Asante Shadrack of Angel FM, the angry drivers stated that the rate at which passengers remove their sandals and roll up their trousers immediately they get to the station before boarding a car, due to “potholes that have turned to pools” at the station is an insult and it is worrying.
They added, “They [Authorities] should come and tell us something sensible with follow up actions else we are no longer going to pay road tolls and tickets to the Municipal Assembly and GPRTU because we don’t know what they use the taxes for; we won’t pay again.”
“Our leaders are not being fair to us at all, and it is very shameful to Assin Fosu municipality. We drivers and passengers don’t deserve this. Due to this our cars are always dirty because passengers have to walk through stagnant water before boarding cars” the angry drivers lamented.
Furthermore, they indicated that poor nature of road networks in the area has forced them to regularly visit mechanic shops for repairs, a situation they said is making them work in vain since they can’t save money.
The drivers are threatening to embark on another demonstration exercise should the authorities fail to attend to their calls.
