Transport Union President says Government is not fair to drivers

65

By Louise Jobe

Omar Ceesay, the President of the Transport Union has described the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions as unfair to drivers.

Ceesay expressed discontentment over the recent steps by the Government to reopen some public places including markets and mosques leaving out the transport sector.

Omar Ceesay, in an exclusive interview with Foroyaa said the government has not mentioned anything regarding their sector, saying it shouldn’t have been that way.

The transport President said as far as the State of Emergency is concerned, drivers are the victims and they were arrested, detained, charged and convicted by the courts for overloading their vehicles with passengers or increment of fares.

According to Mr. Ceesay, he has written to the relevant Ministry and raised their concerns. He said one of the conditions was for commercial vehicle drivers to be allowed to carry passengers to full capacity with measures such as wearing of face masks and the use of hand sanitizers.

He indicated that he is aware of the reduction of the fuel price by about eight dalasi but added that this cannot meet the cost of the commercial vehicle drivers because they are only carrying half the number of the passengers they should carry.

Ceesay urged drivers to calm down and allow the Union to continue engaging the government on the matter.