Mankessim (C/R), April 18, GNA - The Mankessim Number Two Branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) is to get tough with drivers who flout traffic laws with impunity.

A task force made up of the police and officials of the Union has been set up to clamp down on recalcitrant drivers.

Mr Samuel Arthur, branch chairman, who announced the measure at an emergency meeting at Mankessim on Sunday, expressed regret that some deviant drivers were carving a bad name for the town and said it was time their activities were halted. Mr Arthur said some criminals including some drivers had turned the roundabout into a haven for their activities and were harassing innocent people there.

Some inexperience drivers, who did not have driving licences, had turned the place into loading point for vehicles and some drivers colluded with them by giving them their vehicles to load for fees, he said.

The chairman said apart from such drivers dodging payment of taxes and park tolls, their activities created congestion in the town, which often made pick pockets and bag and phone snatchers to have a field day. Mr Arthur advised transport owners to buy shifts for their vehicles at lorry parks to prevent their drivers from loading at unapproved places.

Meanwhile, the branch has elected new executives with Mr S.K. Arthur as chairman, Mr Matthew Mensah, vice-chairman, Mr Joe Sam, secretary, Mr Daniel N, Duodu and Mr Anthony F. Amoah 1st and 2nd trustees, respectively.