Takoradi, Nov.5, GNA- The Shama-Ahanta East Metropolitan Assembly and the law enforcement agencies, have been challenged to check the creation of unauthorized parking spaces and indiscriminate picking of passengers by recalcitrant drivers in the Metropolis.

At a press conference, organized by the Western Regional branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), on Monday at Takoradi, Mr Paul Kaiser Blay, Vice Chairman of the Union, said unruly drivers who were not members of the group, were committing traffic offences in the Metropolis. He called on the assembly and law enforcement agencies to enforce road safety regulations and the assembly's 2000 byelaw on creation of and activities at lorry parks.

Mr. Blay said, "In our view, the enforcement of these regulations that give clear guidelines regarding the control, management and use of public roads, lorry parks and vehicles in general will ensure sanity on our roads especially at a time that the metropolis is preparing to host CAN 2008,"

He said the Union was making the appeal because the group as a major identifiable transport organisation was being blamed for the situation. Mr. Blay said, "While, we as a union have educated our members to obey the law, other drivers, particularly those who either belong to other associations or do not belong to any of the transport unions, continue to break the law with impunity creating problems on the roads." He said the picking of passengers at unauthorized places, often referred to as "bombing", resulted in the lost of items, over-speeding and careless driving. Mr. Blay said the creation of unauthorized loading places on major roads within the centre of Takoradi had resulted in a lost of revenue to the Union and the assembly. He said hawkers and other traders have besieged walkways and compelling pedestrians are using the roads. 5 Nov. 07