WITH EFFECT from this month, commercial drivers operating taxi and trotro service in Kumasi without licence from the KMA in accordance with the KMA coach and taxi bye-law would not be allowed to work in the city.

One would have to pass an oral test, which borders on one's knowledge of the said bye-law and the geography of the city, its streets, suburbs and major landmarks.

The KMA in collaboration with VELD, MTTU, GPRTU and other transport unions have organised the first in a series of a three-week refresher courses for 140 drivers.

The course which lasts for three days over a total of nine hours is to ensure effective enforcement of the coach and taxi bye-laws and facilitate licensing and registration of all taxi and trotro drivers in Kumasi.

Mrs. Fanny Anane-Boateng, chairperson of KMA's Transport Commission and Mr.

Atta Boafo, Transport Officer, KMA, explained that by virtue of the powers conferred on the Assembly by the Local Government Act, drivers also needed a licence from the KMA to operate in the city and called on drivers to avail themselves of the course.

Meanwhile, the Metro Chief Executive, Mr. Maxwell Kofi Jumah, has asked residents of Kumasi to take advantage of the multiple benefits of the Residents ID card KMA intends to introduce this year and accept the system.

Jumah said though not compulsory the acquisition of the ID card would enable KMA to plan effectively and generate adequate revenue which is affected by the lack of reliable and up-to-date data-base.

The KMA boss said the ID card system would also facilitate the prevention and control of crime in the city.

Other advantages, the city mayor noted, would include the early identification of accident victims, the unemployed and ratable persons.