C/R PROTOA Chairman condemns drivers attack on MTTU personnel

Agona Swedru, Jan 16, GNA - Nana Yaw Fayah, Central Regional Chairman of the Progress Transport Owners Association (PROTOA) has condemned the rampant attacks on Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) personnel by floating drivers in the Agona Swedru Municipality. He said the rude and insulting behaviour of the floating drivers had negative effects on personnel of the MTTU in exercising their professional duties to check traffic congestion in the town.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Agona Swedru on Thursday, Nana Fayah expressed displeasure about the situation and appealed to the divisional and regional commanders of the police to intervene. The Chairman said on 12th January, 2009, Issah Mohammed, a taxi driver and another unknown driver assaulted Lance Corporal Joyce Yeboah from the Divisional MTTU, for arresting them for obstruction and loading under a traffic light. He noted that Lance Corporal Yeboah, who got injured and had her wristwatch damaged, was rushed to the Agona Swedru Government Hospital where she was treated and discharged.

Nana Fayah said Constable Stella Amponsah also from the MTTU, was attacked for exercising her duty on January 13, 2009. Nana Fayah said both drivers were being hunted for by the Swedru Divisional Criminal Investigation Department (CID). He pointed out that the floating drivers in the Swedru Municipality caused traffic congestion and had refused to pay lorry park tolls and other fees to the Agona West Municipal Assembly.

When the GNA contacted the Deputy Swedru Divisional MTTU Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Augustine Mensah, she confirmed the story about the attacks and ordeal meted out to personnel by floating drivers. She said the driver refused to send Lance Corporal Yeboah to the police station after he was arrested and instead took her to the outskirts of the town where he dragged her down in the middle of the road and sped off.

ASP Mensah said the owner of the taxi cab had been ordered to produce the driver within two days to be arraigned before court or he (the owner) would face the full rigours of the law. He said the taxi cab had been impounded by the Police, while investigation continued.