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05.10.2004 General News

ITF observes Road Transport Day

05.10.2004 LISTEN
By GNA

Accra, Oct. 5, GNA - The International Road Transport Action Day was on Tuesday observed with a call on all stakeholders to ensure safety on our roads as well as sharing the responsibilities for effective and sustainable prevention.

The Minister of Road and Transport, Dr. Richard Anane made the call in a speech read for him by Mr. Emmanuel Adjei-Boye, Deputy Minister of Road and Transport.

It was under the theme; "Fatigue Kills, Correcting The Indiscipline On Our Roads".

Dr. Anane said the responsibilities requires a multi-stakeholder effort for effectiveness and sustainability.

"All road users, pedestrians, drivers, MTTU, insurance companies and all who have a stake in an efficient road transport system, have a role to play in the enterprise to check indiscipline."

He said, "We are all aware of the reckless driving on our roads," adding that, "some people drive with one hand whilst the other is used for the mobile phone and therefore, loose concentration on the road." Dr. Anane said Government have availed the road agencies to the needed resources and cited new driving syllabuses for driving schools and eye tests to enhance capabilities to deliver properly.

He assured the stakeholders that Government would continue to help them to achieve the set objectives in the fight against indiscipline on the roads.

The Deputy Secretary General of the TUC, Mr. Kofi Asamoah said pain and psychological trauma that drivers inflict on families of accident victims should have been enough to all drivers to be careful when driving.

He urged the Road Transport Unions to continue to sensitise their members on dangers of fatigue in driving.

The Co-ordinator of the Federation of Transport Union of Ghana, Mr. Emmanuel Mensah urged Government to appoint people who are well versed in labour issues to the National Labour Commission yet to be constituted.

He said, this would ensure a peaceful labour and industrial environment for sustainable growth and development in the transport industry.

Mr. Mensah called on the Government to expedite action on providing a National Transport Policy for the country to enable all stakeholders appreciate their roles and responsibilities in the transport sector.

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