By Momodou Darboe
The Ministry of Transport has admitted that the demands put to the government by drivers are legitimate but that meeting them remains a tall order.
Gambia Transport Union last week called for a strike action telling commercial vehicle drivers to stay away from the roads from this morning after the union’s demands for the restoration of full-load limit and garages have not been met.
In an interview with The Standard yesterday, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Works and Transport, Mod Ceesay, said he did not believe the strike would be effective as the drivers are divided.
Mr Ceesay said: “There is no magic formula to their problems, especially with the issue of garages. Garages are not going to be an over-night thing knowing the problem of land in this country. Nonetheless, we have been in consultations with the relevant authorities on the issue. It is a multi-stakeholder thing that requires a multi-pronged approach.
“We have already identified places for garages but as it is a multi-stakeholder thing, it will not be a quick fix. Garages will undoubtedly promote safety of people and their property.
“We don’t believe that the strike will go ahead because the union itself is divided, not agreeing on a unified position because others want the restrictions to remain because they say it is in their interests to maintain it. Our doors are always open and the unions are aware of this,” he explained.
