Sunyani, Oct. 27, GNA - Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, has said the introduction of the Metro Mass buses was not meant to collapse the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and other private transport operators.

He said the government recognised the immense contributions the union was making in national development and expressed optimism that the it would continue to offer such assistance during the nation's 50th anniversary celebration next year.

Mr Baffour-Awuah was addressing the Regional Council meeting of the GPRTU and more that 64 branches in the region attended. He appealed to the union to resolve, through negotiation, all grievances and other related issues pertaining to transport fare fixing whenever there was an adjustment in petroleum prices.

Mr.Kofi Kokwa, the Regional Chairman of the GPRTU, appealed to the government to resolve differences between the GPRTU and the Metro Mass buses with respect to parking space as experienced at certain lorry stations in the region.

He appealed to the Drivers' Vehicle Licensing Authority to speed up the processing of drivers' licences and the police to step up patrols on the highways to stem highway robberies and accidents.