Bolgatanga, Feb 11, GNA - Upper East branch of the Ghana Private Roa= d Transport Union (GPRTU) of the Ghana Trade Union Congress(GTUC), has inaugurated a modern office complex in Bolgatanga, built at a cost of 140,000 Ghana cedis.

Mr. Mark Woyongo, Upp er East Regional Minister, who inaugurated the office, commended GPRTU for constructing the building to facilitate the activities of the Union.

He said that the role of GPRTU in the social-economic development of=

the country could not be overemphasized. Mr. Woyongo said the GPRTU apart from offering jobs had also instill= ed discipline into the transportation sector to reduce road accidents. He said that government considered the private sector as an active partner in development since it was a major avenue for job creation and revenue generation.

Mr. Woyongo expressed worry about the smuggling of fuel by the some GPRTU drivers from the country to neighbouring countries and said the security agencies would soon clamp down on such people. He asked drivers to refrain from careless driving and supporting arm= ed robbers to rob passengers.

Mr Woyongo appealed to the GPRTU to organize workshops for their members to update their driving skills.

Mr. Godfred Abulbire, the Upper East GPRTU Chairman, called on passengers to report misconduct of drivers to the Union sanction such divers. He said an apartment of the new office would be used for the training= of drivers on road Safety measures t. Mr. Abulbire said the GPRTU would collaborate with the Police to prov= ide security for passengers who travel in the night.

The National Vice Chairman of the GPRTU Alhaji Eesa Tetteh said the R= oad Safety Commission in collaboration with the GPRTU would ensure that all GPRTU stations obtain logbooks to monitor the activities of drivers. Mr. Alexander Ayaata, the Upper East Regional Coordinator of the Roa= d Safety Commission, cautioned drivers to ensure that their vehicles were r= oad worthy.