By Regina Benneh
Sunyani (Bono), June 25, GNA -Taxi drivers at the Sunyani main lorry station have given authorities of the Sunyani Municipal Assembly one-month ultimatum to reshape the deplorable condition of the station or face their anger.
They warned that if the assembly failed to reshape the station before the expiration of the ultimatum, then they would also not pay any fee.
The ultimatum was contained in a joint statement issued by the Baakoniaba, Abesim, Odumase, Fiapre, Dumasua, Dr Berko, and Nsoatre Taxi Drivers Associations and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani.
It expressed dissatisfaction with the deplorable condition of the station and the taxi rank and called on the city authorities to do the needful.
The statement added that the Sunyani main station served as the principal transport hub of the Municipality and the gateway through which thousands of travelers, traders, investors, and visitors entered the city daily.
It indicated that: “The lorry station ought to project an image of cleanliness in order to befit a regional capital, but the present state presents a different picture.”
The statement expressed concern about lack of sanitary facilities like toilets and urinals at the station for both drivers and travelers, worrying that for many years now drivers and passengers had endured the extremely poor condition at the station.
It added that: “The accumulation of refuse at various points within and around the station has created an unpleasant atmosphere for drivers, passengers, traders, and visitors.”
“The poor unsanitary condition has gradually transformed portions of the station into an environment that is unhealthy and unattractive and thereby posing serious risks to public health.”
It said the accumulation of waste had attracted flies, rodents, mosquitoes, and other disease-carrying organisms, increasing the risk of the spread of diseases.
The statement indicated that: “The offensive odour emanating from the accumulated waste diminishes the comfort and dignity of passengers and drivers who spend long hours at the station.”
It stressed that the station was characterised by numerous potholes and damaged surfaces which collected and retained water after rainfall.
“The stagnant pools of water provide ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes and that affects drivers, passengers, and residents living around the station”.
It said: “Visitors arriving in Sunyani are greeted by conditions that don’t reflect the beauty and development of the capital and that circumstance undermine efforts to promote Sunyani as one of the cleanest, safest, and most attractive cities in Ghana.”
Nonetheless, the statement added that the drivers continue to pay their levies and tolls regularly and promptly.
It said that the collection of those levies and tolls ought to accompany the provision and maintenance of basic infrastructure and essential amenities at the station.
The statement estimated that if about 500 vehicles operating daily from the station, the Assembly and the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) collectively receive approximately GHC678,000 annually from ticket collections alone.
However, that the station accommodated more than 800 vehicles, projecting the revenue generated annually from the vehicles could exceed GHC1,084,800, it said.
The statement therefore demanded accountability on the utilization of the revenue, asking the city authorities to invest the revenue into proper sanitation and waste management, infrastructure and maintenance work.
It said the continued absence of basic facilities like toilets, urinals, and proper waste management systems raised legitimate concerns regarding the adequacy of investment in the station despite the substantial revenue generated from its operations.
“We find it difficult to understand why such substantial revenue has not translated into the provision of basic facilities, sanitation infrastructure, maintenance, and general improvement of the station.”
The statement also demanded that the Municipal Assembly handed over the management and upkeep of the station to the drivers and stakeholders.
GNA
Edited by Dennis Peprah / Christabel Addo
Reporter-Regina Benneh