Krystal Reservations, an Event Management Orgainsation in collaboration with the Greater Accra Regional Secretariat of GPRTU will hold a refresher seminar and awards night for drivers in the Region.

The event is slated for Friday, August 25 and Saturday, August 26, 2017 at St Barnabas Anglican Church Hall, Osu on the theme, “Safe Driving Saves Life”.

Mr Oscar Nii Sai Provencal, General Manager of Krystal Reservations, speaking at a press launch of the events, said considering the roles drivers played in the socio-economic development of every nation, it was proper to give them such recognition and respect.

He said though the organisation have been organising series of seminars for drivers since 2014, the awards night was its maiden event, which would become annual, to encourage drivers to give of their best.

He said there were six categories of awards, including the best driver in the Greater Accra Region, the best conductor, the most respectable conductor, the neatest lorry park and the most decent conductor in the Region.

Mr Provencal said aside the awardees’ inter personal relationship with their customers, high level of professionalism and competency, one criteria that stood up was someone who had driven for five years and above without any accident.

He said the selection process was done by each and every GPRTU Branch and with the help of the Greater Accra Regional Secretariat and the Motor and Transport Traffic Department (MTTD), deserving winners were selected.

He, therefore, expressed his gratitude to the Branch and Regional Executives of the MTTD for their support.

Abbas Ibrahim Moro, the Industrial Relations Officer of the GPRTU, said he was grateful for the collaboration as it would create awareness of drivers’ contribution in nation building.

He said though there were very good drivers in the Region, they could not award everybody at the same time and urged all drivers to continue to observe good practices since they did not know when their turn would come.

Answering question on the Union’s delay in fixing lorry fares after fuel increment, he said after fuel increment, they have to justify all the affected components and agree on a percentage with other transport organisations before coming out with the amount.

On the alleged harassment of drivers by the Police Service, Mr Moro urged drivers to adhere to traffic road regulations to avoid such confrontations with the Police.

“I am not saying our drivers are not good because some of the Police men too are not good. There is Mensah in every house and some Policemen also collect unauthorized monies from drivers in the name of flouting traffic regulations,” he added.