Takoradi, Feb. 2, GNA - The Police Administration on Wednesday lifted the ban that stopped heavy duty trucks from moving on the highways after 1800 hours, the Western Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police Alhaji Hamidu Mahama, told the GNA in a telephone interview. The lifting of the ban came following demonstration by some cocoa haulage truck drivers in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis at the Cocoa Village at Beahu on Wednesday.

Alhaji Mahama said the trucks could now move after 1800 hours and cautioned the drivers to drive cautiously to avoid carnage on the roads. It would be recalled that a directive from the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Paul Tawiah Quaye, directed all Regional Police Commanders to enforce the ban.

During the demonstration the truck drivers, numbering over 100, burnt car tyres at the entrance of the Cocoa Village and prevented other trucks loaded with cocoa from entering the Cocoa Village yard. The drivers accused the police of taking advantage of the ban to extort money from them.

Mohammed Issaka, a truck driver, said the ban would create inconvenienc= e for them since most trucks prefer moving at night when the traffic congestion had reduced considerably. He added that the ban would force truck drivers to speed to get to their destinations to avoid being arrested and that could lead to more road crashes.