Takoradi, July 22, GNA - Commercial drivers in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis operating at designated lorry parks are planning to embark on a sit-down strike from July 23.

The decision is due to the increasing number of "unapproved roadside lorry stations" springing up in the metropolis, Ghana News Agency (GNA) investigations have revealed.

Some of the drivers who spoke on condition of anonymity said activities of these drivers had made their operations at the lorry stations difficult because passengers are prevented from entering the lorry part to patronise their services.

They cited the Edzee roundabout, All Needs, Old Accra Station, Effiakuma Supermarket and Bus Stop as some of the illegally operating stations.

They said if nothing was done about it within the next few days, they would go on a sit down strike and refuse to move their vehicles. The drivers said that these roadside stations do not pay any taxes and and therefore deny the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) revenue.

They alleged that those engaged in the illegal loading have security personnel as their car owners and therefore act with impunity when they are arrested and when they are driven away by the police they return. They appealed to Mr. Phlip K. Nkrumah, the Metropolitan Chief Executive, and the Regional Police Command to act swiftly. Some of the drivers told the GNA that they have to spend several days waiting their turn to load their vehicles while those operating at the roadside do brisk business. "We can also join them on the streets and abandon our stations," they said.