Don't ban 207 buses now-DVLA Boss

Takoradi, May 25, -GNA-Mr. Vincent Fiatsi, Western Regional Director of the Driver and Vehicular Licensing Authority (DVLA) said calls by a section of Ghanaians for the ban of 207 commercial buses needed to be thoroughly discussed by all stakeholders before any action is taken. He said several factors must be considered including mechanical, engineer, driver-competence and experience before any decision is taken. Mr. Fiatsi said these at an awards day organized by the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) in collaboration with the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and sponsored by Network Assurance Company at Takoradi on Thursday.

He said there would be the need for a Legislative Instrument (LI) and other constitutional changes to make the ban effective.

He said drivers of the 207 buses must be extremely cautious, respect road traffic rules and regulations, ensure the safety of passengers, be patient and know a lot about the vehicles they are operating.

Mr. Fiatsi asked drivers to make safety a living standard for all. Mr. Adusa Poku, Western Regional Police Motor Transport Traffic Unit (MTTU) commander said excessive speeding and wrong overtaking among drivers accounted for many road accidents in the country. He said in spite of persistent warnings to drivers on the Takoradi, Accra and Kumasi roads they ignore them and resort to speeding. Mr. Poku said it was difficult for 207 vehicles to be used for manouvrering and drivers of such vehicles must be extra cautious. Osabarima Kwaw Entsie, Omanhene of Mpohor urged the NRSC to make their public educations more regular and not only during festive occasions. He asked drivers to be neat, courteous to passengers, respect other road users and ensure that all documentations on their vehicles were accurate.

Mr. Thomas B. Boakye, Western and Central Regional Coordinator of the NRSC said the road act would hopefully be passed in June and this would empower the Police to arrest and charge offending drivers spot fines. Mr. Paul Tandoh emerged the overall best driver and received a 20-inch colour television and cloth.

The second prize of a 50 million cedis personal insurance cover went to Moses N. Ackah. He also received a DVD player and cloth. Three others also received radio cassette players while 60 GPRTU and Ford drivers were presented with certificates of participation in a defensive driving training organized by the NRSC and the GPRTU.