Assin Adiembra (C/R), May 25, GNA - Transport organizations including the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), have been urged not to regard the Mass Transport Service as a rival operator. The Chairman of the Development Planning Sub-Committee of the Assin South District Assembly, Mr Derrick Owusu-Ambrose, who made the call, noted that the Service was initiated by the government as a poverty alleviation measure and not as "A competitor of the unions".

Mr Owusu-Ambrose, who is also the Senior Pharmacist of the Agona Swedru Government Hospital, appealed to the unions to cooperate with the Service to make its operations in rural areas successful. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency at Assin Adiembra, the Assembly Member for the area, pointed out that while school children in uniform were enjoying free ride to and from school, their counterparts in rural areas could not benefit and had to walk long distances to attend classes because of the problem.

He advised the unions to adopt measures to attract travelers to patronize their vehicles since the Service charged cheaper fares. Mr Owusu-Ambrose noted that in spite of the fact that the introduction of the Capitation Grant had made basic education virtually free in public schools, some parents still sent their children and wards to private schools where they paid high fees. He advised the unions not to fear competition but to accept competition to improve their services.

The Senior Pharmacist appealed to the leadership of the unions to ensure that their members adhered to their instructions whenever there was a change in fares as a result of an adjustment in the prices of petroleum products.

He noted that when there was an upward adjustment in the prices of the products about a month ago and the leadership directed their members not to increase fares, some of them refused but the executives failed to ensure that the order was carried out. The Assembly Member appealed to the unions to sanction members who flouted directives and said "Members of the union should not behave as if we are living in a lawless society".