Regional News of Friday, 19 August 2011

Source: GNA

Police and transport owners strategize to make roads safe

Kumasi, Aug 19, GNA - Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Patrick Timbillah, Ashanti Regional Police Commander, has called for more cooperation from transport operators in the fight to bring down the growing highway robberies. He said they should overlook the economic cost and provide space on long-distance traveling buses for armed police guards. He was speaking at a meeting with stakeholders of the road transport sector to strategize on how to tackle the robbery menace. In attendance were members of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Metro Mass Transit Limited (MMTL) and the OA Transport. DCOP Timbillah re-affirmed the determination of the police to clamp down on armed robbers.

He said they would do everything to provide travelers with adequate security protection and bring to justice the miscreants. The Regional Commander cautioned criminals to reform, saying, this was in their own interest since the police would always come after them. Alhaji Issah Khaleepha, Industrial Relations Officer, of the GPRTU, pledged they would give all the necessary support to the police to help check the activities of the robbers.

He said they appreciated that security was a shared responsibility.