Drivers lock horns @ Somanya

…Over Loading Rights


Drivers in Somanya in the Yilo Krobo District of the Eastern Region have locked horns over the decision by the Ghana Private Roads and Transport Union not to allow floating commercial vehicles to operate.
Information gathered by The New Crusading GUIDE indicates that members of the Ghana Private Road and Transport Union (GPRTU) in the Yilo Krobo District have asked Commercial Vehicles plying the Somanya Accra rout to stop passengers along the route.
The Union members have thus directed all passengers in Somanya and surrounding villages to go to the Main lorry station to board vehicles to their destinations and not rely on floating vehicles.
According to the GPRTU officials, the directive will help their members get adequate passengers and enough money to cover their expenses.
This directive however did not go down well with the floating commercial drivers who resisted the attempt by the GPRTU to offload their passengers in the middle of their journey for union vehicles.
The incident on Thursday resulted in a fears struggle among the various driver unions resulting in some drivers sustain severe injuries. Meanwhile, the District Chief Executive for Yilo Krobo, Andrew Toda, addressing the floating drivers who had gathered at the District Assembly to protest against the new GPRTU directive urged them to be patient whiles he resolves the issue with the Driver unions.
Interestingly, some residents in Somanya and surrounding villages have kicked against the new directive by the GPRTU.
According to them, it is expensive for those of them living along the Somanya Accra Highway, towards Ayikuma and Dodowa to pick a car and drive back to Somanya main station to board an Accra board vehicle.
They have therefore called on the District Chief Executive to suspend the new directive to help them save cost when travelling.