Members of Tema–Accra Mother Union of Tipper Driver’s Association, have indefinitely suspended their intended plan to block the Tema- Afienya road to demonstrate their anger against alleged irregularities at the axle weighing bridge.
They said their reason for calling off the action was due to the mediation efforts by Greater Accra Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police Patrick Timbillah, who assured the union that their grievances would be channeled to the appropriate authorities for redress.
The members said they would not hesitate to hit the streets if their grievances are not addressed expediently.
Mr. Anthony Agbemehia, Chairman of the Association made this known to journalists at a heavily charged atmosphere at Kwabenya, near Accra, where the tipper truck drivers had gathered to proceed to carry out their threats.
He however gave the assurance that the industrial action would be carried out peacefully in order not to mar the stability the nation demands for the December polls.
Mr. Agbemehia said the more than 1,700 members of the Association were frustrated at the “blatant discrimination” against them and the lack of transparency at the axel weighing bridge at Afienya “and this is affecting our livelihoods”.
He said members had tried a number of times in vain to get the ears of the relevant authorities to rectify the anomaly.
Mr. Agbemehia, explained that the guidelines put in place says heavy duty vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes are to be subjected to axel load control, and that any driver who refused to comply committed an offence in accordance with Road Traffic Act 683.
He alleged that operators of the axel weighing point extort money from drivers instead of following the laid down procedure for billing and called on the road authorities to investigate the matter.
