Tema, April 1, GNA - The Mankoadze Heavy Trucks drivers Union in Te= ma, on Wednesday embarked on a demonstration against the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) accusing it of selling their parking lot. About 250 agitated drivers and their mates in red bands, chanted wa= r songs to register their protest.

They said the TMA, which asked them to vacate the packing lot, had allegedly sold the place to a Chinese company.

Mr Benjamin Afotey Botchway, Chairman of the Mankoade Drivers Union= , said they have been parking their trucks at the said place for over 20 years. He said three months ago, the Assembly informed them unofficially t= o vacate the place.

Mr Ebo Abban, Secretary of the Union, said the Assembly should have=

provided them with a place before asking them to quit. He said the drivers contributed their quota to the development of t= he nation by carrying imported and exported goods to and from the harbour to=

neighbouring countries. He appealed to the TMA to provide an alternative place if they real= ly wanted the drivers to vacate the area. Mr John Kpabitey Odonkor, Tema Metro Engineer, when contacted, told=

the Ghana News Agency that no one had authorized the drivers to use the place as a terminal. He said the action of the drivers had created room for other squatt= ers to put up unauthorized structures, which had depreciated the beauty of th= e ceremonial street of Tema. Mr Kpabitey advised the public to apply to the Assembly for permits=

before they could use any place for business, cautioning that the law wou= ld deal ruthlessly with anyone operating in the area without permit. 1 April 10