Four transport operators in Sekondi-Takoradi have expressed worry over what they describe as brewing tension in the transport sector in the western region of Ghana due to the actions and inaction of the Western Regional Minister who is also the Member of Parliament for Takoradi, Dr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah.
Addressing the media on Monday at the Metro Mass Transit terminal in Takoradi on behalf of all the aggrieved transport unions namely, Metro Mass Transit Limited (MMTL), GPRTU Western Regional Secretariat, Takoradi Kumasi Express Branch, Takoradi Accra Branch, Joy Transport, Kalmore Transport and P and C Transport, Mr David Tei Tekutey who is the regional manager for (MMTL) said that the STMA must with immediate effect revoke the operating permit given to one Bimbisala/ VIP Jeoun transport to operate on the MMT terminal.
He noted that “there have been various attempts to forcefully allow Bimbisala/VIP Jeoun to operate at the already congested terminal. The latest of such attempts was during a meeting on September 7 2022 held at the office of the Regional Police Command with us the aggrieved transport operators to allow Bimbisala/VIP Jeoun to operate from the already congested terminal, with the claim that the permit issued by the STMA cannot be revoked.”
“It is sad to note that members of the aggrieved transport operators have received multiple threats from the Bimbisala team, causing insecurity, fear, and Panic in the life of both passengers and staff of operators already operating from the terminal,” he added.
They are however calling on the Minister of Transport, Interior, National Security, Inspector General of Police and the Office of the Special Prosecutor to intervene in the matter before drastic measures are taken.
“We the aggrieved Transport Operators are further calling on The Honorable Ministers of Transport, Interior, National Security, Inspector General of Police, Office of the Special Prosecutor to investigate what interest the Western Regional Minister has in the Bimbisala/VIP Jeoun to be working against MMTL which is a government entity and the aggrieved transport operators who have always operated in unity and brotherliness until the introduction of the Bimbisala group.
Should the Regional Minister and his allies continue with this agenda, we aggrieved transport operators being law-abiding citizens will advise ourselves accordingly.”
It is important to note that the lorry terminal in question was originally for the erstwhile Omnibus Service Authority (OSA) and now transferred to Metro Mass Transit Limited (MMTL) upon the collapse of OSA and the setting up of MMT in 2003 by His Excellency John Agyekum Kufour to ensure the continued provision of public bus service to the good people of Ghana at affordable prices.
Patrick Ennimil Arthur
@ennimilarthur