Regional News of Thursday, 21 April 2005

Source: GNA

GPRTU official warns drivers over freight charges

Accra, April 21, GNA - The chairman of CMB-Fan Milk branch of the GPRTU Mr Opollos Nyarko, on Wednesday warned commercial drivers at the station against exorbitant freight charges.

Speaking to the GNA at the branch office Mr Nyarko said the situation has given a field day for drivers to pick passengers on the road side.

According to Mr Nyarko, members of the union should always rely on bookmen of the Union who had been specifically trained to load their vehicles in order not to impose unnecessarily charges on luggage and foodstuffs belonging to commuters.

He regretted that the action of the drivers had driven away potential commuters, particularly foodstuff dealers living in other communities of Accra from patronizing the operations of the branch union.

Mr Nyarko said such actions also give room for foodstuff dealers to arbitrary increase the price of commodities to consumers, thus aggravating the economic situation of consumers particularly workers. He said as much as leaders of the union appreciate efforts being made by individual members towards the improvement of the transport industry within the Accra metropolis, they would not sit down unconcerned for a few greedy members to undermine the credibility of the union.

The Local Chairman reminded drivers of the branch that they have equal vital role to play in ensuring the success for the social economic development of the nation.