MP urges MMDCEs to dialogue with drivers over new fares

January 13, 2011 Saltpond (C/R), Jan. 13, GNA - The Member of Parliament (MP) for Mfantseman West, Mr Aquinas Tawiah Quansah, has called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCs), to collaborate with drivers unions, to come out with the new transport fares.

He said cooperating with the unions in their respective areas would help them to come out with a reasonable fare increases, as a result of the new fuel prices.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency at Saltpond, on Thursday, Mr Quansah observed that, some drivers were capitalizing on the increase to cheat passengers.

He said even though the leadership of the unions had approved an 18 per cent increase in fares, drivers were charging as much as 50 per cent or more on the old fares.

The MP said this had brought about confusion and misunderstanding between drivers and passengers.

He said if the MMDCEs did not take immediate action to get the issue resolved it could degenerate into unpleasant situations.

"We need peace on our roads to ensure safety", he said, adding that, "the high rate of accidents, on our roads, has become a headache for the government and we must not sit down unconcerned for lorry fares to be added to our woes".

The MP appealed to Ghanaians "not to play politics with the fuel price increase because it was a necessary evil to accelerate the development of the nation".

GNA