Gambia: CPC Condemns GTU Recent Strike

4 October 2022
The Point (Banjul)
By Njie Baldeh

Following the recent strike by the General Transport Union (GTU), the President of the Consumer Protection Consortium (CPC), Alpha O. Jallow has condemned the act, saying it caused serious problems to consumers and the country's economy.

Speaking during a press conference on Saturday, held at Action Aid Building in Kanifing, he stated that the unfolding developments to curb unnecessary strikes, meet the immediate demands of the GTU by increasing fares without exhausting other possible options, and reaching an agreement with the CPC is a matter of concern.

Mr Jallow further explained that as key stakeholders and members of the Road Safety Working Group and Route Licencing Task Force Committee setup to improve the overall efficiency of the transport system, they believe the ministry's resolve to increase transport fares before operationalising of the Route Licencing Scheme means "putting the cart before the horse."

He added that the CPC strongly warns that instead of achieving fair play and stability, it would be a recipe for chaos in the transport sector.

"Considering the current economic conditions and rising inflation in this country, the CPC holds that any increment in fares will have a spiral effect on transportation, costs of essential commodity prices, resulting in inflation and further hardships for the citizenry."

However, to help remedy the situation, he continued that the CPC has also identified potential areas of intervention that would require the collaboration of the government and other stakeholders for sensitisation of consumers on consumer rights and responsibilities, sensitisation of GTU and commercial drivers on social responsibility, and strengthening enforcement of traffic laws and regulations and the Consumer Protection Act 2014.

Omar Touray, President of The Gambia Transport, Agriculture, Food, and Industrial Workers Union (GTAFIWU), said all GTU members are consumers. He added that when they are given a vehicle by an employer, their family members remain consumers.

He recommended the labelling of all commercial vehicles in this country.

Kebba Ceesay of Foundation Gambia Incorporation (FGI), also emphasised that their mandate is to protect the consumers, adding that the tariff should be a fair balance between the consumers and concerned groups.

Wrexham firefighter to support Gambia with fire appliance

Read the original article on The Point.

Tagged:
Copyright © 2022 The Point. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.