Bogoso, (W/R) June 8, GNA- Drivers who operate from Tarkwa to Bogoso and other communities within the Prestea Huni/Valley District in the Western Region, are on strike due to the poor road network.

According to them they are tired of spending huge sums of money in maintaining their vehicles during every trip they embark on.

Mr Kwaku Adjei, one of the concern drivers, said they have spent so much money on spare parts and risked the safety of their lives transporting travellers on the dilapidated road for a number of years now.

'We cannot continue to offer this sacrifice again as it is gradually draining our pockets,' he said.

Mr Adjei claimed that although the Tarkwa to Ayanfuri road has been awarded on contract by the government to Reynolds Construction limited for more than a year now, the contractor is not on site.

He said until government comes in to assure them that the contractor would speed up work on the road they would continue to abandon passengers.

Mr Francis Akwaboah, Chairman of Bogoso Ghana Private Road Transport Union, branch in Bogoso confirmed the strike to the Ghana News Agency in an interview.

He said due to the bad nature of the road the drivers have arbitrarilytakenituponthemselvestoincrease transportation fares.

The chairman said to ensure that the rights of passengers are not infringed upon he decided to sanction any driver who goes against the law to charge unapproved fares.

He said the drivers were not pleased with his action and decided to go on strike.

Mr.Akwaboahsaidtheconditionoftheroadis compounded during the raining season.

He therefore called on government and the appropriate authorities to ensure that the right steps are taken to check the slow pace of work on road.

GNA