Commuters at Aflao stranded as taxi drivers go on strike.

Aflao, July 25, GNA- A strike action by local taxi drivers at Aflao on Tuesday morning resulted in a large number of commuters including students, workers and traders getting stranded for hours. The strike was said to be in protest against the deplorable state of certain routes in the area.

They also complained about alleged harassment by personnel of the Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), and the insensitivity of the authorities of the Ketu District Assembly to the plight of the drivers.

As part of the protest some of them flouted traffic rules on a portion of the main route reserved as one way amidst hooting of horns while security personnel placed at vantage positions looked on. Hard pressed stranded pupils and students currently writing the end of year examination had to approach the leadership of the striking drivers to appeal to their colleagues to assist them get to their various institutions on time. The angry drivers warned that until they received a concrete response from the authorities they would keep protesting from time to time.

An untarred bypass running through the GPRTU bus terminal and the beach and linking the main highway at the border area reserved for taxis is at the centre of the controversy. Mr Simon Tengey, Chairman of the Taxi Union told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the badly damaged bypass worsens after each rainfall, which damages their vehicles. He accused CEPS of often impounding their vehicles and releasing them only after payment of fines of between GHc200 to 300 when members attempt using other links on days when the situation becomes unavoidable following heavy downpours. Mr Tengey also alleged that the Union had sent several notices to the District Assembly, including interactions and said the protest was the last option.

Mr Emmanuel Impriam, Assistant Commissioner of CEPS in charge of the Aflao Sector reacting, said the creation of the one way was by the Border Security Committee to forestall the regular nasty congestion created by taxi drivers at the border entrance, inhibiting the movement of other road users, including foreign national. He said the imposition of the fines was a deterrent measure to ensure peace and security in the area. Mr Impriam said he was talking with the striking drivers to rescind their decision and promised to confer with the district authorities for an immediate response to their plight. 25 July 07