Regional News of Monday, 12 May 2003

Source: .

Communities angry about exorbitant lorry fares

Nkoranza (Brong Ahafo) - The people of Nkwabeng, Brahoho and Akuma, farming communities in the Nkoranza district have denounced the exorbitant fares charged by drivers plying in the area.

The drivers charge 500 cedis more than the approved fares on routes in the area. Andrew Kwadwo Antwi, a headteacher and citizen of Akuma told Ghana News Agency at Nkoranza that even though the authorities of the District Assembly had cautioned the drivers, they had remained adamant.

“The drivers have taken the law into their hands and the people are mad about such indiscipline," he said. Antwi asked the district branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Progressive Transport Owners Association (PROTOA) to intervene.

Without the passengers, drivers would not work and so they must respect them and not to infringe on their rights, he said. He expressed the fear that there could be a confrontation between the people and the drivers if steps were not taken to bring the situation under control.