By Lamin Njie
Following the increment of transport fares nationwide and the introduction of a route licensing scheme within the Greater Banjul Area by government last week, officials from the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure together with key stakeholders in the transport sector, visited the busy West Field general area to assess the level of compliance by commercial drivers.
So far, most of the drivers are complying, although there are still some who are not willing to follow the scheme. On the other hand, the public did welcome the initiative and urged the authorities to ensure that the issue of enforcement is factored well in the whole process.
Speaking to Gambia Daily, Essa Drammeh, and Director of Transport at Ministry of Transport Works and Infrastructure said one of the main objectives of the route licensing scheme was to eliminate the issue of double or tripling of fares by commercial drivers.
Director Drammeh took the opportunity to call on all and sundry to comply with the new system for the benefit of all. He said the Ministry will continue to partner with stakeholders for the successful implementation of the scheme.
He also took the opportunity to caution drivers who are unwillingly to implement the scheme, saying they will otherwise face the consequences.
“The cooperation of the general public is also key in this entire process; so I am calling on the public to help us make the scheme a success,” he said.
Omar Ceesay, the President of The Gambia Transport Union said his union will collaborate with the government to ensure that the goals and objectives of the scheme are attained.
He also called on drivers to fully comply with the new tariffs and the scheme and for the passengers to help in the implementation of the scheme by telling the drivers the truth and not allowing them to do what is not right.
Amadou Bojang, Officer Commanding, Mobile Traffic Unit, said the police will work with the stakeholders to ensure that there is sanity in the traffic.
He said his men and women in uniform are not out to harass anyone, especially the drivers, but rather to ensure the rules of the traffic are obeyed by all.
Salifu Touray, a student and a couple of passengers who spoke to this medium, expressed satisfaction with the way and manner the new scheme is going.
Salifu further called on the authorities, especially the police to ensure sure that drivers stop the issue of overcharging of fares unnecessarily.
