Ministry to meet GIA, NIC, drivers over strike

The Ministry of Transport has revealed that it will meet stakeholders to resolve agitations by angry commercial vehicle operators over increases in insurance premiums.

Some commercial vehicle operators announced a planned countrywide strike for today 8 February 2016.

The operators told journalists at a press conference on Tuesday February 2 that they were disgruntled over what they claim are astronomical (500%) increases in insurance premiums.

But Deputy Transport Minister Joyce Bawa-Mogtari indicated that what the Ministry was aware of was a 25% increase for third-party insurance premiums, which took effect this year. She has called for calm as the Ministry engages stakeholders to find an amicable solution to the concerns of the disgruntled drivers.

“I know insurance premiums have not gone up by 400% to 500% as is being speculated, but for our part as a Ministry, we intend to engage with the Ghana Insurance Association (GIA), National Insurance Commission (NIC), and, of course, whoever these drivers are, who are so worried about the emerging trends that they are threatening to go on strike,” she told Citi FM in Accra.

She charged insurance firms to make information available to the public and explain any increases to clients to prevent such occurrences.

“Every individual, be it a private or commercial driver, must have insurance. And if insurance premiums have gone up, I think it is the responsibility of the insurers to explain to the public why premiums are going up at this time.”