The newly elected leadership of the Ghana Private Road and Transport Union (GPRTU) has begun the process of lobbying the government to come in to guarantee for the union to acquire new and comfortable buses to boost its services to the nation.

The Union said if government assisted members with the new buses, it was not only going to improve their services, but to also ensure the comfort of passengers, and a reduction in transport fares.

Mr Kwame Kumah, National Chairman of GPRTU, who led his team of executives to pay a courtesy call on the Upper West Regional Minister, Alhaji Amidu Sulemana, pleaded with the Minister to help convey their request to President John Dramani Mahama.

He explained that he and his team were in the region to express their gratitude to Alhaji Sulemana and others, for the support given them during their recent National Conference in the region.

“We are very grateful to you and your administrators for all the support offered us during the conference, to make us safe and comfortable. You indeed demonstrated leadership, and we are very much appreciative of your kind gesture.”

The GPRTU Chairman pledged the Union’s support for government in its bid to deliver effective services to the people.

Alhaji Sulemana thanked the new leaders for coming back to express their gratitude for the kind gesture offered them, saying it was not easy for people to show such an appreciation.

The Regional Minister noted that the GPRTU played a very significant role in the economy of Ghana as far as the movement of goods and services in the country was concerned.

He urged the Union to train their members so that they would understand the need to be courteous to their passengers, and also strive at all times to protect lives and property entrusted into their care.

In a separate interaction with members at the Regional Office of the GPRTU in Wa, Mr. Kumah hinted that his administration would adopt a new approach to handle affairs of the Union.

The GPRTU National Chairman said there was the need to put up a befitting structure, to be used as the National Secretariat, as well as a place where members could pass the night comfortably when they came down to Accra for conferences.

Mr. Kumah, however, reminded members about the prompt payment of their dues, to enable the Union to function effectively.