Takoradi, NOV 12, GNA – The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare has paid a working visit to the main lorry station in Takoradi and interacted with transport operators in the Western Region.
It was to solicit the views of the drivers as key stakeholders on what could be done to reduce the spate of road accidents in the country.
The IGP was accompanied by some top management members of the Service, including; DCOP Habiba Twumasi Sarpong, Director Welfare, DCOP Mohammed Suraji, Director Operations, Superintendent Alexander Kwaku Obeng, the Director of Public Affairs and the Western Regional Commander, DCOP Felix Fosu Agyemang.
He expressed worry about the increasing spate of road accidents, noting that while in times past, road accidents increased during festive seasons, accidents were being recorded in high numbers throughout the year.
Present were members of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Metro Mass Transit, STC, among other private transport operators.
The drivers were given the opportunity to share their experiences, suggestions and views on what could be done to curtail the road accident menace.
Many of the issues raised by the drivers centered on road engineering, driver attitude, Police harassment.
Some of the drivers complained about the poor conditions of the roads they ply on coupled with high number of what they described as illegal speed ramps without sign post, disabled cars.
Others also touched on the absence of street lights on the road, poor road markings, lack of road signs, and excessive lamps among others and said they were contributing factors to the accidents especially at night.
The drivers also appealed to the IGP and his team to engage the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) and other stakeholders to find a way to eliminate “floating drivers” who often drove recklessly.
They also appealed to passengers not to patronize the services of the floating drivers but go to the various bus terminals, where the drivers are under a union and their activities are monitored and supervised.
Later in an interview with the media, Superintendent Alexander Kwaku Obeng, the Director of Public Affairs of the GPS noted that the country is being confronted with an escalating road safety problem which called for a multi-stakeholder approach.
He said it was imperative that the IGP identified and dialogued with relevant stakeholders to address the menace which had impacted gravely on lives with many left incapacitated.
He assured that the complaints raised by the drivers regarding the attitude of some Police personnel while on the road would be investigated and properly dealt with.
On enforcement, he said the Police MTTD would be supported with more equipment, increase their visibility on the road and ensure that people complied with road laws.
Supt Obeng called on all stakeholders including; the media to support efforts of the Police when it came to enforcement saying “road safety sensitization without strict enforcement is entertainment”.
GNA